Tag: Gulf Air

  • Nidhi  Kaistha to rev up Lamborghini’s India operation

    Nidhi Kaistha to rev up Lamborghini’s India operation

    MUMBAI: Nidhi Kaistha has been appointed head of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. India, taking the wheel of the Italian supercar manufacturer’s operations in one of Asia Pacific’s fastest-accelerating markets.

    The seasoned executive brings over 25 years of leadership experience to the role, where she’ll steer sales, marketing and after-sales operations across Lamborghini’s Indian presence. She joins from rival Porsche India, where she served as regional sales and pre-owned cars manager.

    Kaistha’s automotive pedigree includes more than 15 years at BMW India, where she held several pole positions including head of corporate, direct and special sales, and lead of business strategy for high-performance models. Her earlier career saw her navigate through the hospitality sector at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Hyatt Hotels, following a stint as cabin crew with Gulf Air and Jet Airways.

    Known for her strategic thinking and customer-first approach, Kaistha will now pilot Lamborghini’s growth ambitions across its existing showrooms in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, with an eye on further expansion opportunities.

    Her appointment signals Lamborghini’s determination to turbocharge its presence in India’s luxury car market, where ultra-high-net-worth individuals continue to fuel demand despite the country’s notoriously challenging road conditions.

    In taking the top job at Lamborghini India, Kaistha joins a small but growing cohort of women leading premium automotive brands in what remains a predominantly male-dominated industry – a trend that’s gradually shifting gears as carmakers seek diverse leadership to navigate an increasingly complex market.
     

  • Gulf Air wins ‘Onboard Catering Excellence’ award

    Gulf Air wins ‘Onboard Catering Excellence’ award

    Manama, Bahrain: Gulf Air has been named as the Best Airline for its ‘Onboard Catering Excellence’ in the Skytrax Awards.

     

    By winning the award, Gulf Air has repeated its winning streak, not just once, but three times. Last year, Gulf Air won the Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005 for ‘Best Onboard Catering in First Class and Business Class’ and the PAX International Readership Award for ‘Best New Product Launch in In-flight Service’ at the Middle East Catering Conference.

     

    “It is indeed a great achievement for Gulf Air,” says Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan.

     

    “The award comes at the right time when Gulf Air has launched its new business strategy, Smart Airline, Successful Business. We will spare no efforts to keep up the goodwill we have earned in the aviation industry.”

     

    The award reiterates the fact that Gulf Air is passionate about maintaining its world class standards when it comes to catering- be it our unique Sky Chef or Sky Nanny products or the range of food we offer onboard that have set new standards in in-flight services in the aviation industry, says Gulf Air Head of Inflight Services Michael Kent.

     

    “It is not an easy feat to repeat our success,” he said.

     

    Skytrax Awards provides the most prestigious recognition of outstanding quality excellence for product and customer service delivery across today’s world airline industry.

     

    “The introduction of onboard chefs by Gulf Air a couple of years ago set a new benchmark for onboard catering standards. Whilst this is concentrated on the premium end of the aircraft, the concept has resulted in a much more notable improvement to Gulf Air onboard catering standards across all cabins, and deserved merit for this accolade,” notes Skytrax.

     

    These independent awards are the result of the most comprehensive analysis of product and service standards and have become a bench mark for aviation industry for their products and services.

     

    About Gulf Air

    Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.

    The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.

     

    Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.

     

    A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.

     

    International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services:

    These include:

    Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
    Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
    Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
    World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
    Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
    Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
    Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
    Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
    Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
    Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
    Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)

  • Gulf Air appoints new general manager for India

    Gulf Air appoints new general manager for India

    A consistent achiever and winning performer, Nambiar has risen from the ranks of Gulf Air, having joined it in 1999 as District Sales Manager in Doha, Qatar from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

     

    After a nearly three and a half years stint in Doha, he moved to Nairobi, Kenya on promotion as Area Manager for East and West Africa. In June 2004 he was elevated to the position of General Manager at Gulf Air headquarters in Bahrain, the biggest station of Gulf Air network, before moving to Dubai in January 2005.

     

    A Bahrain-born Indian, Nambiar brings to the position a depth of knowledge and experience that will serve him well in this highly competitive market.

     

    “I am delighted to take up the new position in India, which is an important market for Gulf Air,” says Nambiar.

    “Gulf Air is, and will continue to be, a major player in this rapidly growing travel market. I hope to continue with my undeterred spirit to further develop the market. I am thankful to Gulf Air management for their confidence.

    Regional General Manager Robin Middleton says Gulf Air’s relationship with India goes back to the 60s when it started its first flight to Mumbai in 1960 – the first gulf airline to operate into India.

    “It is one of the top five revenue producing markets for Gulf Air, and it continues to be one of the largest international carriers serving this important country, which is a rapidly-growing economy,” he says.

    “We are confident that under Rajeev’s leadership and in conjunction with our GSA Jet Airways, Gulf Air will continue to go from strength to strength, not only in creating an even stronger profile with new innovative products but also by providing our Indian customers with our unique brand of Arab hospitality and culture, for which we are renowned.”

     

    About Gulf Air
    Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the region.

     

    More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.

     

    Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.

     

    Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.

     

    It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’boutique airline’ vision.

     

    The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, which recognised the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:

    Winner – Middle East Leading First Class Airline, World Travel Awards 2005
    Winner – World’s Leading Airport Lounge, World Travel Awards 2005
    Winner – Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
    Winner – Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
    Winner – Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
    Winner – Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
    Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006

    For further information please contact:
    Rashmi Shetty / Riann Vaz
    Tel: 022 22812957 / 60
    Mob: 98217 65776 / 98198 64424