Gulf Air first to fly into Al Maktoum International

Above: Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths (right) signs the MoU with Gulf Air’s acting CEO, Maher Salman Al Musallam.

Gulf Air plans to operate a daily service linking DWC to its home base in Bahrain effective December 8, 2013. Gulf Air already operates 51 flights per week into Dubai International but is targeting travellers who value the new airport’s convenience and proximity to new Dubai.

“We are thrilled to announce the signing of an MoU with Gulf Air, the first full-service airline to commit to operations into DWC,” said Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. “Gulf Air’s daily service to Bahrain and onward connections through its network are sure to be appealing to a wide number of travellers. It’s clear the interest in our new passenger terminal is growing in leaps and bounds. We are confident passengers will appreciate the sleek efficiency of our newest passenger terminal and the growing slate of flights it has on offer.”

Gulf Air’s acting CEO, Maher Salman Al Musallam said: ”We are delighted to be the first full service carrier operating to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central. Gulf Air’s new daily evening flight to DWC will provide additional travel options and seamless connections through Bahrain to over 30 destinations, maximising passenger convenience. Furthermore, the airport’s close proximity to the holiday, residential and business developments of Arabian Ranches, Dubai Marina, Dubai Media City and Palm Jumeirah, make it an attractive, alternative, time-saving travel proposition for passengers located in or travelling to these areas.

"Gulf Air has been operating to Dubai since 1960 and today operates seven flights daily from Bahrain International Airport to Dubai International, the additional flight to DWC boosts Gulf Air’s capacity to Emirate by 10%.”

Gulf Air will be operating its new A320-Extended Range (ER) aircraft on all of it its flights between Bahrain International Airport and DWC.

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Dubai World Central is just days away from launching passenger operations and this new MoU with Gulf Air is the first of many that we'll see as the airport finally opens up to wider commercial flights.

“With the existing Dubai International Airport poised to endure weeks of summer runway work in 2014, there is a greater chance now that early adopters for slots at Dubai World Central will look to offset any impact on flights will shift them to the new airport to minimise any potential disruption.”

Ahmad added: “The sheer volumetric capacity and capabilities at Dubai World Central make it one hell of an enticing prospect - airlines may be slow adopters given their current use of the existing airport, but for many GCC airlines who are expanding at a frenetic rate, the ability to serve Dubai with flights to more than one airport will be highly lucrative.”