JEDDAH, 12 July 2003 — India’s private domestic airline Air Sahara has introduced a daily flight from Bombay to Cochin and is launching another daily service from the commercial capital to Hyderabad from Monday. “Our daily services to Cochin and Hyderabad are to partly meet the demand from non-resident Indians (NRIs) and other passengers traveling from the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Gulf,” an airline statement said.
Gulf Air Introduces New Services
JEDDAH, 12 July 2003 — Gulf Air has announced the introduction of a free, luxury coach service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airport, and extended operations to Cochin with Air-India from Monday. Operated on Gulf Air’s newly configured two-class Airbus A320, flights will start from Bahrain through Abu Dhabi to Cochin on GF270 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9.45 p.m. Following a 40-minute transit time, the flights depart Abu Dhabi at 12.30 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to arrive in Cochin at 6 a.m. Flights will depart Cochin on GF271 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 07.00 local time arriving in Abu Dhabi at 09.25, where the transit time is 45 minutes. GF271 arrives in Bahrain at 10.15. “We hope to extend the service soon to operate five flights a week,” John Butler, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Gulf Air said. Gulf Air’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 45 cities in 33 countries. “The comfort and hospitality of a Gulf Air flight out of Abu Dhabi can now begin in Dubai,” explained A. K. Nizar, Gulf Air’s area manager — Dubai & Northern Emirates. “The introduction of this luxury coach service makes the capital’s airport even more accessible and the ideal gateway to and from the UAE.” The road trip is in itself a “flight” with free snacks and video entertainment.
SWISS Takes First of New Airbus Series Delivery
JEDDAH, 12 July 2003 — With the introduction of the new Airbus A340-313, SWISS is embarking on the renewal of its long-haul fleet. SWISS will be taking delivery of a total of seven A340-313s, scheduled to progressively replace the existing Boeing MD-11s. Reclining seats in business class, ‘largest’ individual screens in the airline branch for economy class and a camera mounted beneath the cockpit are just some of the highlights of the new aircraft, according to the Swiss International Air Lines office here. Comfortable, environmentally friendly, economical and state-of-the-art both technically and operationally, are some of the many favorable aspects of the new Airbus A340-313. “It’s an investment in the future of SWISS, despite the currently difficult economic environment. SWISS is banking on an attractive fleet of aircraft, optimized to meet the requirements of its passengers. With the A340, the airline can offer the most modern product in every respect,” the airline stated.
BA’s Online Competition Ends on Tuesday
JEDDAH, 12 July 2003 — British Airways has an online quiz that could win two World Traveler Plus tickets to London from Saudi Arabia. Three nights hotel accommodation in a centrally located five-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis is being donated by Visitbritain plus a sight seeing tour of London, according to BA’s Country Commercial Manager Chris Phipps. The closing date for the competition is on July 15. So log on to www.visitbritain.com/meast/competition.htm to take part in the quiz.