‘)})()
//–

ATW Photo Gallery-In the News-January 2016

The acting CEO of Gulf Air, Maher Salman Al Musallam, has tendered his resignation, the airline has confirmed.

Al Musallam became acting CEO of the Bahraini flag-carrier in December 2012 following the resignation of previous CEO Samer Majali. It was never fully explained why he remained in the role in an acting capacity for such an extended period.

There was no indication at last week’s Bahrain International Air Show, where he signed major orders to re-equip the airline’s fleet, that Al Musallam planned to resign.

During his time at the carrier, he has overseen a major restructuring and turnaround program, which has steadily reduced the airline’s large deficit. The financial figures for 2015, due to be announced in the next couple of months, are expected to see a further reduction in losses, with the carrier expected to be nearing breakeven.

Al Musallam had made it clear in the past that Gulf Air could not break even as long as it remained a company that merely sold seats on its aircraft, rather than the wider range of services, such as engineering, ground handling or consultancy, that other major airlines in the region could offer.

However, last December and with little fanfare, the airline was grouped together with the Bahrain Airport Co. and a flying academy under the title Falcon Group. This will have a single board of directors and be jointly audited.

A Gulf Air statement said only that Musallam had tendered his resignation from the post of acting CEO and that no further comment was being made for the moment. It is not known if his resignation will be accepted by the airline’s board.

Al Musallam joined Gulf Air as deputy CEO after a 35-year career with the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF). During his tenure at the RBAF he was a Wing Commander—Lt.Col in US terms—and was responsible for the daily management and emergency deployment of more than10 operational units including flying, maintenance, logistics and administration.

Please Log In or Register to post comments.

Blogs Commentary

Very shaky start for anti-US ATC privatization coalition

Europe’s 2016 crystal ball reading

ATW On-Location

Click here to read ATW On-Location from the Dubai Air Show and other events

Visit the ATW Store

ATW Plus
ATW Magazine Products
ATW World Airline Report
Calendars

 

 

PISCES