AIRLINES in the region are reportedly trying to poach Gulf Air staff amid uncertainty over the future of Bahrain’s national carrier.

Gulf Air Trade Union chairman Habib Al Nabbool told the GDN that staff were already considering their future, following the announcement of a major restructuring that includes halving the airline’s fleet, shrinking its workforce by up to 50 per cent and slashing routes.

He said many employees did not want to leave the company, but the threat of up to 1,800 redundancies meant people could find themselves out of job at any time.

“Many are facing a dilemma and that’s whether to continue in Bahrain or leave to other neighbouring countries,” said Mr Al Nabbool.

“Many don’t want to go, but uncertainty over their future is forcing them to accept jobs elsewhere.

“In less than a month I have heard many staffers were leaving because it is better to accept a good offer now, rather than be forced to accept anything in future if they are made redundant.

“Representatives of several airlines have been seen meeting with our staff in the lobby of the nearby Mšvenpick Hotel and tempting them with wonderful packages.

“That has to end – with either Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company or the government telling us clearly what is going on.”

There is still no word on who will be affected by any downsizing of Gulf Air or when it will take place, although news of the plan broke out more than a fortnight ago.

The GDN reported on October 10 that the carrier could be dramatically downsized as part of a restructuring plan designed to reduce its losses from BD95 million to BD58m a year by 2017.

That includes massive job cuts that would effectively halve its workforce, slashing its fleet by 50pc and cutting routes with a new focus on Asia and the Arab world.

The plan also involves ditching 19 of Gulf Air’s planes, leaving it with 20 aircraft, and shrinking its network to 31 routes.

It is part of a deal put on the table by the government to secure National Assembly approval for a BD185m bailout of the carrier, after earlier efforts to secure a rescue package worth BD664.3m failed.

Parliament and the Shura Council have agreed in principle to the plan, but must officially approve it in a vote.

Until then the airline is effectively in limbo, although it appears to have already started scaling down its operations.

It will stop flying to Nairobi, in Kenya, next month and Aviation Week reported earlier this month that orders for 20 Airbus A330-300s, placed in July 2008, were “increasing looking doubtful”.

“Delivery slots for A330s ordered in early 2008 were available as early as 2011,” it said. “One would expect aircraft from this order to have been delivered by now, but as of September 2012 none have been built or delivered.”

It said an Airbus order report showed four cancellations in June 2010 and another 10 in September by an undisclosed buyer.

“An analysis of Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s Fleet database shows that Gulf Air is very likely to be this undisclosed customer as nearly all other A330-300 customers have been taking delivery of their aircraft, especially those who placed orders around 2008 and before,” it said.

“Gulf Air’s A330-300 order is the only one that appears ‘stale’.

“Gulf Air also placed an order for a total of twenty four 787-8s in 2008 and 2009, but eight of these have already been cancelled.”

Meanwhile, the Gulf Air Trade Union has attempted to lift spirits at the carrier by circulating a memo on the eve of Eid Al Adha.

Mr Al Nabbool said staff morale was down as a result of uncertainty surrounding its future.

“We would like to note that all statements, discussions, dialogues relating to Gulf Air restructuring and its fleet should not touch any part of your employment interests, in our headquarters in Bahrain or Gulf Air’s outstations,” it said.

“We urge you to continue working, without responding to hassles here or there. We all need to overcome this exceptional circumstance which Gulf Air comes across nowadays.

“We understand that all concerned parties, either in executive management, government, or the National Assembly in both chambers will not bargain any of your employment rights.

“We in the union are consistently following up this issue and will keep you updated about the progress.”

mohammed@gdn.com.bh