Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 2:

Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sultanate of Oman, recently celebrated its 55th birthday and reconfirmed it as a pioneer of

the Middle East aviation industry, while demonstrating that ‘age’

is no barrier to enthusiasm and innovation.

“There are not many airlines in the world today that can match our heritage and tradition,” says James Hogan, president and chief executive, “More importantly there aren’t many airlines that are as healthy and dynamic as we are.” The airline celebrated the occasion quietly with a number of staff events around the network.

“We are saving our energy for bigger celebrations in the coming weeks, when the innovation continues with the unveiling of the first of our upgraded and enhanced Airbus A330s followed by our sponsorship of the region’s foremost sporting event, the Gulf Air Bahrain Formual1 Grand Prix and thereafter the announcement of our financial results for 2004,” he said adding that the airline had come a long way in 55 years — from small-scale commuter service to world-class airline.

Innovation is not going to stop either. In the past two years Gulf Air has introduced award-winning Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies, a new brand identity.