Bahrain invites Greek Air to operate flights
23 May 2006



Accord to boost aviation cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation, Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, yesterday invited Greek Air to operate flights to Bahrain, affirming full support.

The invitation follows the signing of an agreement between Bahrain and Greece to invigorate and develop air traffic between both countries. The agreement was signed by Shaikh Ali, who is on an official visit to Greece, and the Greek Minister of Transportation and Communications, Mihalis Liapis.

Shaikh Ali also reviewed with Liapis ways of bolstering cooperation in the aviation sector to increase trade exchange and enhance the tourism movement. He said the agreement would reflect positively on the business of Gulf Air as the national career which operates daily flights to Athens, pointing out that Manama and Athens had recently witnessed a 14 per cent growth in traffic.

The Greek minister affirmed that the agreement would contribute to the development of both countries and meet the aspirations of their leaders. He also hosted a luncheon in honour of Shaikh Ali and his delegation, attended by a large a number of officials and guests.

Earlier, the Greek President, Karolos Papoulias, received Shaikh Ali who conveyed to him the greetings of HM the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the Crown Prince and Commander-in- Chief of the BDF, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and their wishes of further progress and prosperity for Greece and its people.

President Papoulias lauded the advanced ties between the two countries and Bahrain’s policies and its key role at the regional and international levels. He also affirmed that the agreement would help strengthen relations and asked Shaikh Ali to convey his greetings and good wishes to Bahrain’s leadership.

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