Gadget ban will not affect Gulf Air: CEO
Manama : The recent US and British restrictions, banning certain electronic devices onboard flights originating from Middle Eastern and North African countries, will not affect the national carrier, said Gulf Air CEO Maher Al Musallam yesterday.
“The restrictions do not apply to flights originating from the Kingdom,” Al Musallam told DT News, adding that the national carrier operates two daily direct flights to the UK, but no direct flights to the US.
“The current rules being implemented by authorities in the UK and the US do not allow electronic goods in passenger cabins on some inbound flights from Middle Eastern and North African nations but the rules do not apply to flights originating from the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Al Musallam reassured.
“Gulf Air operates two daily (morning and evening) direct flights to and from London Heathrow T4 operating an A330 service that affords our premium passengers with distinctive comforts including fully-flat bed seats and optimum onboard entertainment along with the airline’s award winning Gulf Air Sky Chef and Sky Nanny services. En-route to London Heathrow, Gulf Air’s economy class passengers can also enjoy the very latest in comfort, technology and extensive in-flight entertainment options,” Al Mussallam said, confirming that Gulf Air passengers are not prohibited from carrying laptops and tablets onboard flights to London.
“Bahrain’s national carrier does not currently operate a direct service to any destinations in the USA. However, passengers can take advantage of the airline’s codeshare agreement with American Airlines to travel from Bahrain via its twice daily London Heathrow service, daily Paris service or daily Frankfurt service to seven different American cities. The destinations include New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Raleigh-Durham and vice-versa,” The CEO explained.
US operations not hit
“At present, Gulf Air’s direct London operations have not been impacted, yet we are ready for any eventuality. Our primary focus continues to be the safety and security of our passengers, crew and fleet, and on ensuring convenient, comfortable and seamless travel solutions for all,” Al Musallam said.
“Gulf Air passengers can continue avail the airline’s convenient double daily service to and from London Heathrow T4 and its codeshare agreement with American Airlines in order to travel to/from 7 American cities via London, Paris or Frankfurt, all with their electronic devices with them onboard their flight,” he reassured.
Anyhow, the CEO mentioned that the newly announced restrictions will affect international aviation.
Elaborating further, Al Musallam said, “These new security measures will impact the aviation market globally as passengers, especially premium travelers, who are used to being connected 24/7 and for whom travel has never disrupted their connectivity or access to various smart devices may alter their routes globally with regards to transatlantic flights. That’s not all, it is distinctly challenging to implement these security measures in the short time span that was given to airlines to comply with them. The potential business impact of these new measures will also be considerable, affecting airlines beyond the region with some airlines witnessing an uptake while others see a decrease in passengers on their transatlantic routes.”
“Passengers are aware of the updated security measures on flights operating certain routes to the US and the UK, Gulf Air passengers can continue to travel with ease at this time, with their electronic goods onboard across any of our network of 42 destinations in 25 countries. The airline’s premium offering makes travelling with a laptop and other smart devices easier, with various opportunities both onboard and in the airline’s dedicated Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounges in all of Bahrain International Airport, Dubai International Airport and London Heathrow T4, to charge their devices, connect to the internet and access their devices - on the ground and in the air,” he added.
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