Middle Eastern carrier Gulf Air has named ex-Croatia Airlines head Kresimir Kucko as its new chief executive.

The Bahraini flag-carrier has been seeking a new chief since the resignation of Maher Salman Al Musallam earlier this year.

Kucko planned to step down as the head of Croatia Airlines in early November, and he formally took up the post at Gulf Air on 12 November.

Gulf Air says Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi will be his deputy.

Kucko will oversee the introduction of a new fleet at Gulf Air, with the arrival of 39 aircraft from next year, says the carrier.

Gulf Air has 29 Airbus A320neo-family jets on order and Boeing still lists it as having orders for 16 787s.

Bombardier also has 10 Bombardier CS100s on order, according to the airframer.

Gulf Air states: "The modern fleet will herald a new era for [the airline] as it continues to enhance its product and service offering."

Source: Cirium Dashboard