Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain announced Tuesday a new codeshare partnership with Middle East Airlines-Air Liban, the flag carrier of Lebanon.
Today, The Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air announced a new codeshare agreement with Lebanon’s flag carrier Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA). Gulf Air will now place MEA’s ‘ME’ code on flights between Beirut and Bahrain. According to a separate Middle East Airlines announcement, the codeshare is in effect starting December 3, 2019 after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two carriers. In Tuesday’s announcement, Gulf Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Krešimir Kučko said,
“We are glad to sign this codeshare with Middle East Airlines and offer their passengers direct daily service from Beirut to Bahrain on Gulf Air. Beirut has always been a key route on our Middle Eastern network and we welcome this partnership with the flag carrier of Lebanon.”
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and serves 47 cities in 26 countries. From its hub at Bahrain International Airport, the airline offers twice daily service to regional cities, including daily service to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, as well as international flights to the Indian subcontinent and Europe. Gulf air currently operates a modern fleet of 37 narrow and widebody aircraft and by 2023 their fleet will consist of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 12 Airbus A320neos and 17 Airbus A321neos.
Also commenting on Today’s codeshare announcement, Middle East Airline’s Chairman and Director General, Mr. Mohammad El Hout added,
“This codeshare with Gulf Air will complement the MEA network to the Gulf. We are pleased with this partnership wit Gulf Air that will enable us to offer our loyal passengers a new destination Bahrain and many other destinations in Asia via the Gulf Air network.”
Middle East Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet of A320-200s and A330-200s and in June 2019 signed a firm order for four A321XLRs, becoming the aircraft type’s launch customer. MEA has a total of 15 A321neo Family aircraft on order, with deliveries starting in 2020.
Source(s): Gulf Air, Middle East Airlines