Mr. Näf, who has successfully led the most established carrier in the region since July last year, was appointed following a meeting of the board of directors. «Björn has proven himself to be the ideal candidate to lead the airline, which has begun a new era as the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and we fully support him and his team,» says Gulf Air Board Chairman Mahmood Al Kooheji. Mr. Näf, who has broad experience in all areas of the aviation business, was delighted with his appointment to lead Bahrain’s flag carrier.
Agreement with Boeing Co. to purchase up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
«I am pleased and honoured to have gained the trust of our board members and thank them for entrusting me with the command and leadership of our airline, which is the pioneer for aviation in the region,» says Mr. Näf, who joined the airline as chief operating officer in April. «We are moving ahead at full speed and I am confident that our team’s hard work, dedication and commitment will manifest itself to make Gulf Air the carrier of choice from the region,» says Mr. Näf. Under Mr. Näf’s close working relationship with Gulf Air’s board, the national airline has recently signed an agreement with Boeing Co. to purchase up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal valued at nearly US$6 billion. Looking ahead, Mr. Näf is optimistic about the future of the most established carrier in the region. «We are well underway in building and growing our airline to become the carrier of choice in the region.»
Swiss International Air Lines and Transafrik International before Fulf Air
Mr. Näf’s proven multi-tasking capabilities gained over the years in the air travel industry suits his new role perfectly. The 42-year-old executive has done an advanced management programme from Harvard Business School in Boston, United States. He began his aviation career in 1990 with airline pilot training in the US and Switzerland. Mr. Näf joined Gulf Air from Transafrik International, Kenya, where, as the Chief Executive Officer, he oversaw the international cargo, humanitarian and relief flights for the United Nations. Mr. Näf previously served as the Executive Vice President Product and Services for the Swiss national carrier Swiss International Air Lines and before as an Executive Vice President for Crossair the Swiss regional European carrier.
(Gulf Air/mc/hfu)
About Gulf Air
