Bahrain MPs vote to replace Gulf Air board

Posted by: Pete Emily Monday, 10 December 2012 8:05 AM[UAE] - Dubai

As in many parts of the country, Gulf Air has in the past appointed many expats, particularly in non technical positions such as administration, paying full expat status contracts which could and should be filled by Bahrain Nationals. In addition, "jobs for life" for Bahraini Nationals must be addressed as it results in many non productive employees still on the pay list. GF needs to be run as a proper profit based business, not a Government funded Employment agency.

Posted by: RAH Friday, 7 December 2012 1:18 AM[UAE] - Kuwait

It is sad for a couple of readers here to think that by firing locals, both Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways would start to be profitable. Locals in both countries do have the potential (and brains) to run an airline business (look at Kuwait's Jazeera Airways).

The problem does not lie with the locals. The problem lies with the governments (and parliaments) who meddle too much.

Give the airlines to competent locals, inject capital, and move away. The carriers will be able to survive thereafter.

Posted by: DaveM Thursday, 6 December 2012 3:50 PM[UAE] - Australia

Taimur
They have already done that (several times) - the current CEO is an excellent airline boss. He turned round Jordanian Air.
The problems are twofold:
1. Government interference eg stopping Gulf Air from flying to their most lucrative destinations eg Iran and Iraq.
2. Too many staff. Over the years way too many staff have been hired and many of them are Bahrainis. It is politically unacceptable to make them redundant. They need to cut the workforce by 2000 (many of them being locals).

Posted by: Mumeen Thursday, 6 December 2012 3:50 PM[UAE] - kuwait

Yes, this so called Consultancy is a killer. The CEOs and the Board Members sip tea while delegating their core work to outsource consultancies. Actually, its best to ask the expat staff working in Gulf Air how the company can turn around and I can guarantee that you will hear and know the best ideas, and the best way to go about at no extra cost, and with inherent motivation of the staff in being involved.

Same thing is happening with Kuwait Airways too! Consultancies and endless seemingly unprofitable researches. Kuwait Airways too can turn around in no time but, expat staff must be trusted and given due responsibility, executive authority and non-interference by national work-force. Unfortunately the national work force has not contributed to productivity but has been a great financial and administrative burden.

Posted by: Taimur Rana Thursday, 6 December 2012 1:26 PM[UAE] - dubai

hire a good experience CEO and leave it up to him ....the parliament shouldn't get involved and let the CEO do the work !! and wait for the figures to be released at end of the year