MANAMA: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has welcomed a new batch of Bahraini pilots, who have recently begun operating flights after completing all the necessary vigorous ground and base training courses.
The new batch of pilots join the national carrier from a number of neighbouring regional airlines.
Gulf Air’s deputy chief executive officer Captain Waleed Al Alawi congratulated the airline’s new pilots for passing the selection process, and noted: “With more than 70 per cent of our pilots being Bahrainis, this is a major milestone for us to be a leader amongst carriers from our neighbouring countries by having local, specialised and professional talents representing our glorious kingdom in the skies. Gulf Air continues to takes pride in being a corporate leader in Bahrainisation in the kingdom.”
The airline’s new pilots are Captain Aref Al Mulla, first officers: Ali Hussain, Khalifa Daleem, Khaled Al-Setrawi and Husain Ismail, second officers: Khaled Bubshait and Ali Al Noaimi.
“I am very happy to join Gulf Air and be one of its ambassadors in the skies. I have worked in regional airlines in neighbouring countries, but nothing compares to returning home and working with my country’s national carrier. Being close to my family and friends is amazing,” said Captain Aref Al Mulla.
First officer Khalid Al Satrawi also said: “It feels great to be amongst this group of Bahraini pilots joining Gulf Air together at the same time. We thank the airline and its management for giving us this opportunity to return home and be the future captains of Gulf Air.”
Gulf Air is committed to investing in its Bahraini workforce and their career development and as such, it continues to provide opportunities for Bahraini nationals to take over senior positions in the company with 90 per cent of employees that are based at the headquarters in Muharraq being Bahraini, along with nearly 70 per cent of its pilots.
