Bahrain : Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has released a special documentary about the airline’s history and 70 years of aviation in the region. The 20-minute documentary narrates the journey from the establishment of Gulf Air in 1950 throughout the seven following decades until its 70th anniversary in 2020.
The documentary features prominent figures from Bahrain who were part of the airline’s history or were linked to its evolution at different stages and eras.
Interviews were conducted with Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, Wife of Shaikh Rashid bin Hassan Al Khalifa, First Bahraini pilot for Gulf Air, and Abdulrahman AlGaoud, Bahrain’s Ambassador to India and Gulf Air’s first Bahraini captain.
The documentary also features interviews with Mohammed Yateem, businessman and son of Hussain Yateem, Gulf Aviation co-founder, Yousuf Salahuddin, businessman & Bahrain’s first licensed pilot, and Dorine Oberndorfer, former Gulf Air stewardess and Passenger Service Officer.
Participants discussed various topics and shared memories that focused on Gulf Air’s reflection to Bahrain’s identity, the idea of forming an airline based in Bahrain, the Gulf Aviation days, the involvement of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), GCC states joining the airline, Bahrain and Gulf Air leading the way for many ‘firsts’ and how Gulf Air highlights the Kingdom on the global map as a carrier of culture and growth.
“Gulf Air has come a long way since its establishment as Gulf Aviation in 1950,” AlAlawi said.
“Today it is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and it connects the island with many parts of the world. Gulf Air is a key asset to Bahrain’s economic wheel as it contributes to its GDP in various forms such as inbound tourism traffic, transit traffic, imports and exports cargo as well as promoting Bahrain on a global scale through major sponsorship and events”.
The documentary is available on Gulf Air’s YouTube channel and social media platforms and will also be available for viewing on-board Gulf Air flights and on Bahrain Television.
