Oman drops Gulf Air
The Omani government decided in May to withdraw from Gulf Air, leaving the Bahraini government as the only shareholder. Gulf Air says it will cut back services at Muscat Airport over the next six months, leaving Bahrain as its only hub. Oman earlier this year decided to reduce its share in Gulf Air from 50% to 20% and increase its stake in Oman Air to more than 80% as part of a plan to redevelop Oman Air into a long-haul carrier. Gulf Air was already planning to focus more on its Muscat operation to reflect an 80%-20% ownership split.
Big plans for Empost
United Arab Emirates courier company Empost has launched scheduled cargo flights using an Airbus A300 freighter. Flights to Dhaka, Amsterdam and Istanbul began in early May from Abu Dhabi's Al Ain International Airport, where Empost plans to establish a cargo hub. Empost has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan to acquire 50 aircraft by 2012 and serve several destinations in Europe, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent from Al Ain with Amsterdam acting as a secondary hub for European destinations.
Jordanian posts profit
Royal Jordanian reported in May a net profit of JD13 million ($18 million) for the calendar year 2006. The profit was less than expected due to the impact of the Israeli-Lebanese conflict and higher fuel prices. The new oneworld member generated JD447 million in revenues last year, an increase of 8%.
EgyptAir Express launches
New regional operation EgyptAir Express launched operations in May after taking delivery of its first of six Embraer 170s. Meanwhile, EgyptAir in early June will begin codesharing with Star Alliance member TAP Portugal on its Cairo-Lisbon route.
Afrijet expands
Nigeria's Afrijet plans to launch services in June from its Lagos base to London Gatwick via Lyon in France. The carrier also plans to launch passenger flights in June to Accra in Ghana, Monrovia in Liberia and Freetown in Sierra Leone as well as to five domestic destinations. Afrijet previously only operated regional cargo services.
Source: Airline Business
