Bahrain's Finance Minister denies plans to dissolve Gulf Air

Bahrain's Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa denied reports the government was planning to dissolve Gulf Air and confirmed the carrier will continue to support the airline, as reported by local media sources including Gulf News, Gulf Daily, TradeArabia News Service and Arabian Business. "The government's stance towards the future of the national carrier is crystal clear and does not support any room for interpretation," he said, adding, "The aim is to empower the national carrier to continue to exist and overcome the challenges it is now facing". The Minister cited the draft law submitted to the legislature seeking an additional credit line in the budget to boost the carrier's capital by BHD664.3 million (USD1.76 billion) as part of the government's support for the carrier. Shaikh Ahmed also noted that there was constant communications with the legislature regarding the future of the airline. The only mention of the company's probable shutdown was in the context of alternatives which were proposed by Mumtalakat-appointed consultants, he said.