It now seems that Gulf Air has come up with a new strategy that they want to use to help turn the airline into a commercially sustainable business by 2012. The overall strategy will focus on expanding its network with 20 new networks and upgrading its fleet size. Of course, the airline will cut up to fifteen other routes and even close some overseas offices in a bid to curb its losses.

The Gulf Air Chairman and Chief Executive of Mumtalakat, which is the investment company that owns the airline, Mr Tala Al Zain, said that they have a very clear mandate. This is to build an efficient, commercially sustainable airline that effectively serves the people and the economy of Bahrain.

Mr Tala Al Zain went on to add that, at the moment, Gulf Air relies on significant Government support, since it spends far more than what it earns. These investments could be used to support other areas of the national economy.

The Gulf Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Samer Majali, said that for the first time, Gulf Air will be focusing specifically on Bahrain and serving the Kingdom with higher frequency, non stop services to more destinations. He said that they will also aim at better services to some of the world’s leading financial markets.

The new destinations for Gulf Air will cover Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline will be suspending up to fifteen other routes and closing a number of their overseas stations that are not as profitable. This will include such routes as the ones to Shanghai and Bangalore.