Aviation Faces Headwinds, But Remains Resilient: Gulf Air CEO at Bahrain Airshow

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Gulf Air CEO Jeffrey Goh addressed industry titans at the Bahrain International Airshow’s CEO Insights program, detailing the complex challenges Gulf Air and the aviation sector face on a global scale.

Goh identified three critical concerns reshaping airline strategy - geopolitical tensions, a global supply chain in crisis, and the industry's net-zero emissions target.

Geopolitical Tensions

Goh began by noting the profound impact of geopolitical tensions on operational stability and strategic planning.

The unpredictability of political conflicts, often abrupt and unanticipated, has heightened anxieties among airline executives and strained industry adaptability. Airspace closures and reroutes demand agility, a lesson Gulf Air and other regional carriers have learned to navigate repeatedly over recent months.

“The uncertainties become a problem in terms of where we think the sustainability of the airline’s performance will lie,” Goh explained. These tensions, while long-standing, remain a constant threat to the long-term stability of the sector’s growth. 

A Supply Chain Struggle Beyond Expectations

Reflecting on the post-COVID optimism that the “darkest existential challenge” was behind them, Goh described an industry caught off guard by a “chronic” and deeply entrenched global supply chain disruption.

The challenge reaches far beyond operational mechanics. Supply chain bottlenecks impact not just parts and technical needs but also cast doubt on Gulf Air’s ability to reliably offer flights during peak travel periods.

“Our sales teams have very little confidence that they’ll be able to sell seats for December because there may not be aircraft available to fly passengers,” Goh noted grimly. The pain points are multifaceted - workforce shortages, raw material scarcity, and strained relationships with original equipment manufacturers.

As demand surges seasonally, many airlines, already stretched thin, find themselves with no room to accommodate rebookings when delays occur - a system-wide vulnerability.

Ambitious Path to Net-Zero Emissions

Goh’s message took a broader view of the industry’s pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a target that stands as both an industry-wide commitment and a formidable hurdle. “Aviation emits just 2-3% of global greenhouse gases, yet we’re the industry carrying some of the heaviest obligations toward net-zero goals,” he emphasized.

This responsibility is not the burden of airlines alone. It demands a united effort, pulling in airports, governments, fuel producers, and manufacturers to meet this target collectively. “It’s got to be the responsibility of everyone in the aviation ecosystem to ensure we continue to earn our license to fly,” he asserted.

Despite these monumental challenges, Goh ended his insights on a cautiously optimistic note, underscoring aviation’s resilience as one of the world’s most tenacious industries.

“The industry has to remain optimistic because it is one of the most resilient industries that we have in our global society, and I’m sure we will overcome these challenges,” he concluded, urging a collective will to adapt, collaborate, and innovate.

In a world where flight remains an essential part of human connection and economic growth, Goh’s message was clear - the path forward is steep, but with collaboration and resilience, the industry can navigate the skies once again.