Gulf Air CEO resigns, parliament replaces board; a challenging outlook faces the airline

As another Gulf Air CEO has come and gone, the Bahraini government again picks up the task of plotting a new path for the formerly multi-national airline.

The carrier's board announced on 29-Nov-2012 that it had accepted the resignation of widely respected airline executive, Mr Samer Majali - which he submitted earlier this year - following the appointment of a new Gulf Air board in mid-Nov-2012. Mr Majali will remain in his position until the end of 2012.

And so the troubled and politically muddled airline stumbles onwards with continuing political meddling and no clear direction for its future. With Mr Majali's departure, the prospects for Gulf Air's recovery become even more slender.

In a parallel development, the Bahrain Parliament has also voted to replace the carrier's entire board as well as wiping out two external consultancy contracts. A new board has been announced, led by the deputy premier and consisting of a mix of Bahraini parliamentarians, advisors to Bahrain's royal court and representatives from the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, which has ownership of the carrier.