Majali told Gulf Daily News that in the past year the company managed to reduce staff by some 1,000, representing about 20% of the total, while expanding the business. "We are competing with 3 mega carriers in the region (Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways) and are trying to find our own niche. We have the biggest network in the region, the largest number of flights, and the largest number of destinations.
"We now have fewer long-term destinations, having cut some India flights, but we have more short-term destinations.
He added that the Gulf Air recently added Bahraini cabin crew to its staff : "About 65% of our upper and middle management are Bahraini, 53% of our staff in the kingdom are Bahraini and, globally, we have 45% locals".