Gulf Air welcomes new batch of Bahraini pilots

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, continues moving forward in keeping Bahrainisation at the core of its recruitment strategy by welcoming a new batch of Bahraini pilots who have recently began operating flights after completing all the necessary vigorous ground and base training courses, the airline said in a statement issued. The new batch of pilots will join the national carrier from a number of neighbouring regional airlines to be part of their national carrier and serve the Kingdom of Bahrain, the statement added.

Gulf Air’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed Al Alawi congratulated the airline’s new pilots for passing the selection process, and noted: “With more than 70 per cent of our pilots being Bahrainis, this is a major milestone for us to be a leader amongst carriers from our neighbouring countries by having local, specialised and professional talents representing our glorious Kingdom in the skies. Gulf Air continues to takes pride in being a corporate leader in Bahrainisation in the Kingdom.”

The airline’s news pilots are: Captain Aref Al Mulla, first officers: Ali Hussain, Khalifa Daleem, Khaled Al Setrawi and Husain Ismail and second officers: Khaled Bubshait and Ali Al Nuaimi. “I am very happy to join Gulf Air and be one of its ambassadors in the skies. I have worked in regional airlines in neighbouring countries, but nothing compares returning home and working with my country’s national carrier. Being close to my family and friends is amazing,” commented Captain Aref Al Mulla. Overwhelmed with the new assignment, Khalid Al Satrawi said: “It feels great to be amongst this group of Bahraini pilots joining Gulf Air together on the same time.

We thank the airline and its management for giving us this opportunity to return home and be the future captains of Gulf Air.” The company said that it prides itself with its legacy and long experience in aviation; as the airline selects only the top pilot contenders based on their performance; and in compliance with the high standards that Gulf Air has set for its pilots and with the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs safety regulations. “Safety and security issues are important elements for the national carrier in selecting its pilots, as they undergo a very challenging screening process includes a technical assessment, followed by a comprehensive technical interview.

“Gulf Air is committed to invest in its Bahraini workforce and their career development and as such, it continues to provide opportunities for Bahraini nationals to take over senior positions in the company with 90 per cent of employees that are based at the headquarters in Muharraq being Bahraini along with nearly 70pc of its pilots.” The airline has established a tailored programme through which it recruits and trains Bahrainis to become aviation professionals and continue Bahrain’s legacy of being a longstanding reliable source of aviation industry professionals who have served the national carrier and other regional airlines.