Gulf Air Pursues New Premium Focused Strategy As Fleet Is Renewed, Network Expands

Gulf Air CEO Kresimir Kucko discusses the airline’s new strategy and boutique airline model. Gulf Air has increased its focus on the premium end of the market, introducing a new business class product and adding capacity to destinations (existing and new) popular with the business and upmarket leisure segments. Fleet renewal began in 2018 as Gulf Air took delivery of the first batch of new A320neos and 787-9s. The 787-9s feature a new lie flat business class product which is equivalent to first class on other airlines. Gulf Air has decided to also include lie flat business class seats on its new fleet of A321neoLRs, which will be delivered from early 2020 and used to improve its product on European routes. Gulf Air is also planning to add to two to three new European destinations in 2020 as its narrowbody fleet expands and intends to grow its long-haul network by three destinations as four more 787-9s are delivered by the end 2020. Gulf Air’s fleet will consist entirely of new generation A320neo family aircraft and 787-9s by the end of 2023.