Jazeera's second base to be ouside the GCC; decision expected in next six months

Jazeera Airways has ruled out establishing its second hub in a Gulf state, with CEO, Stefan Pichler, stating that fierce competition within the GCC has made locations outside the region more favourable (business24-7, 12-Oct-2009). The airline will announce the location of its second hub in the next six months.

Jazeera Aiways: "We are looking into other hubs not necessarily in the GCC countries. If you look at the population and number of airline seats in the GCC, you have about 28% of the Middle East population, but 80% of all seats supplied by Qatar, Etihad and Emirates. But if you turn it around, in all the other Middle East countries outside the GCC you have about 70% of the population but only 20% of the airline seats. So, of course, our interest is more in the non-GCC Middle East countries and also North Africa. We are working on a second hub and our plans are pretty advanced. We are in the good position of not having to reveal it now, we can finish our homework and then launch it. We will announce the next hub within the next four to six months," Stefan Pichler, CEO. Source: business24-7, 12-Oct-2009.