Bahrain Airshow: New look for Gulf Air heralds the start of a new air show

Gulf Air, Bahrian's national carrier is set to add a bit of special colour to the country's inaugural air show when it opens at Sakhir Airbase tomorrow morning.

Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) is being held from 21 to 23 January.

A new A320 aircraft body, fully dressed up in BIAS livery, will be unveiled tomorrow by Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. Samer Majali in the presence of senior government officials, VIPs and business partners at the Bahrain International Show grounds in Sakhir.

“As the national carrier of the Kingdom it is but natural for us to associate with such an international aviation event that has attracted global attention,” said Mr. Majali.

“The event has already created an excitement as it is being brought for the first time to the kingdom and Gulf Air is pleased to dedicate a fully-branded aircraft that will serve as the ambassador of this prestigious event.”

He added further, “Bahrain is one of the few economies that has successfully managed the economic downturn and has become a preferred business destination for major global businesses because of the “Business Friendly ‘government that has chartered out long-term development plan though its ‘Vision 2030’. I am sure the BIAS will become another landmark event in the Kingdom’s history.”

Shaun Ormrod, Chief Executive Officer of Farnborough International Limited which worked as a partner in orhganisting the show, said: “The Kingdom of Bahrain has become a prominent and popular destination for several mega events such as the Grand Prix, and we are pleased to bring BIAS to Bahrain. BIAS will not only add great value to the growing prominence of the Kingdom in the international arena but also open up vast business opportunities for the aerospace industry.”

The painting of the aircraft took 10 skilled artisans and technicians who spent 700 man-hours in about seven days and nearly one tonne of paint and 6000 meters of masking tapes.

Adds Bahraini Bader Murad, Aircraft Analysis Manager with Gulf Air, who designed the livery and got it painted in record time,” I wanted to create a design using the BIAS logo that embodies the spirit of nationalism and modernity and at the same time adds up to the beauty of Gulf Air brand.

The flow and direction of the event’s logo is in perfect alignment with the falcon on the tail and I am sure it will be an exceptional sight in the sky and on the ground.”

The aircraft will be flying throughout Gulf Air network the promoting Bahrain and the BIAS event.