DUBAI, 6 May 2003 — Bahrain-based Gulf Air said yesterday that it would locate its fleet of six all-economy Boeing 777s in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, as part of a restructuring program. “You’ll see us focusing on Abu Dhabi as a gateway to the United Arab Emirates,” said Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan.

The six Boeings, taken from Gulf Air’s existing fleet, will be based in Abu Dhabi along with parts and crew. “We are utilizing our assets effectively for customer requirements,” Hogan said of the all-economy service that will be geared up mainly for flights to the Indian sub-continent. “We are the flag carrier of the UAE,” he said, sending out a defiant note to Emirates airline, the highly successful airline owned by the Dubai government. “The three owner states have committed to Gulf Air and they offer us three gateways,” Hogan said of the governments of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman.

Hogan vowed that Gulf Air’s restructuring program would continue despite the “tough period” caused by the Iraq war and more recently SARS. “The change period must continue ... We must ensure that the business is moving forward.”