Gulf Air gets new 757 in DHL deal
GULF AIR has taken delivery of a new Boeing 757 freighter at Bahrain International Airport following an agreement with international air express company, DHL Worldwide Express.
The 757 has a 38-tonne capacity and will operate six times a week on the Brussels-Bahrain-Sharjah-Brussels route.
Gulf Air has experienced a healthy growth in freight carriage of between 20 to 25 per cent over the last five years and the airline management has identified the need to expand cargo capacity to meet this increasing demand.
The freight and mail uplift figures for last year saw an 18.5 per cent increase on 1992.
The B-757 would provide increased general freight, courier mail and sea-air cargo between the Gulf and Europe.
It would also represent an important benefit to the business community by offering a smooth dispatch of specialised goods and heavier cargo to and from the two destinations.
Gulf Air's freight capacity will be further augmented with the arrival of a new wide-bodied A340 from May which can carry 20 tonnes of cargo.
DHL's Middle East regional manager Ken Allen said DHL was delighted that Gulf Air was introducing its first cargo dedicated flight to Brussels, which is DHL's main European hub.
''The new Gulf Air service will enable DHL to ensure next day delivery of cargo between Europe and the Gulf.
''The flights effectively link our Middle East hub in Bahrain and European hub in Brussels,'' Mr Allen said.
Gulf Air, is the national carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, serving 45 destinations from Hong Kong in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Next year will see the information of North American flights.
Falcon Marketing is the general sales agent for Gulf Air in Hong Kong.
