The increase in Gulf Air flights to and from Oman and Bahrain following the airline’s introduction of a two-hub strategy earlier this year has produced record passenger numbers at both the airline’s hubs. Releasing passenger…
The increase in Gulf Air flights to and from Oman and Bahrain following the airline’s introduction of a two-hub strategy earlier this year has produced record passenger numbers at both the airline’s hubs. Releasing passenger figures for the year till June 2006, Gulf Air announced a 30.1 per cent increase to 1,137,482 travellers through Muscat, and a 32.3 per cent increase to 2,181,227 travellers through Bahrain compared to last year.
“In our original estimates, we thought Gulf Air’s passenger traffic through Oman would grow by around 25 per cent,” said airline President and Chief Executive James Hogan. “But in fact the numbers have jumped by a third for the first six months of the year.”
“In the first quarter we recorded growth of 20.6 and 24.1 per cent respectively. However, when the full impact of the two hub model came into effect with the summer schedule in the second quarter, the growth increased to 39.0 per cent in Oman and 41.3 per cent in Bahrain.”
“Few airports in the world could handle year-on-year growth of even half that level. It is testament to the hard work and efficiency of airport management, staff and catering companies Oman Airport Services and Bahrain Airport Services that Seeb and Bahrain airports have stepped up to the challenge so smoothly,” added Hogan.
“We have started to see significant trends coming from our two-hub operation, in terms of crewing, aircraft utilisation and network connections with the full impact becoming apparent in April, following the introduction of the summer schedule. Overall we expect a positive impact on our services this year as a result. While some challenges and uncertainties remain in 2006, notably fuel costs, I believe we have a sound basis for continued positive development in the future. Since the introduction of the two hub strategy, the number of direct non-stop Gulf Air flights to and from Seeb International Airport has increased by 45.5 per cent over last year and the airline now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the passengers at the airport.”
“Meanwhile flights to and from Bahrain International Airport have increased by 41.9 per cent over last year and the airline now accounts for 70 per cent of the activity at Bahrain International Airport. Summer is our peak period. Our normal operations increase significantly to accommodate all the holiday traffic,”
“This year, we have also had to cope with the knock-on effects of the crisis in Lebanon, which has placed additional pressure on our routine operations,” concluded Hogan.
Performance indicators for the period January to June 2006
- Seat factor up by 1.7 percentage points to 71.3 per cent
- Premium cabin revenues up by 17.1 per cent
- Gross unit revenue up 6.5 per cent
- 32.3 per cent increase in passengers through Bahrain; 30.1 per cent increase in passengers through Muscat
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