(MENAFN - Bahrain Tribune) Gulf Air is set to achieve a double digit growth as part of a long-term expansion strategy by adding three new destinations every year. The airline's ambitious plan to add 60 new planes over the next ten years with a total cost of over $10 billion will help the airline to regain its leading position, a senior official at the airline said.

The CEO Bjorn Naf, who signed a three-year sponsorship deal with London-based Queens Park Rangers Club (QPR) in London, said that the airline was on the right path of development and signing with QPR was one of the strategic moves aimed at providing a strong support to the airline's brand name.

"We are the third largest carrier in the Middle East and Gulf Air has embarked on a new journey of bringing in new investments and adding value to the existing brand by forging partnerships. Bahrain being the freest economy in the Middle East will continue to be a focal point for the potential businesses. Gulf Air is a working in various partnerships to make Bahrain a success story.

On airline's expansion strategy the airline's CEO said that this year they had already launched two new destinations Hyderabad in India and Shanghai China and the third destination would be launched before the year end.

Adding three destinations a year, he said, is equal to eight to ten per cent growth which is within the fleet expansion plan and business model conceived as new turnaround initiative.

The airline has also announced the plans to re-fleet itself over the next five years to further strengthen its position and it had signed a deal worth nearly $6 billion with Boeing Company to purchase up to 24 new planes. This is in addition to the deal signed with Airbus worth $4.5 billion.

"For the fleet expansion, Gulf Air is seeking combination of planes from Airbus and Boeing. We are positive and working hard to achieve the desired goals and each destination is researched prior just adding it to the schedule.
"Following the huge success of Gulf Air as an official sponsor for the Grand Prix, Bahrain's national carrier has entered into a strategic partnership with QPR.

This agreement will enable the young Bahrainis to get a world-class exposure if they short-listed to play for Queens Park Rangers. In addition, a team of QPR will shortly visit Bahrain to seek the common grounds for co-operation in training and development for the Bahraini talent.

Earlier, the agreement was sealed by the Chairman of QPR Holding Company Flavio Briatore and CEO Gulf Air Bjorn Naf at a ceremony held at Somerset House and attended by Club and airline's top officials.

Bjorn Naf said that the exclusive sponsorship for QPR would open new vistas for the airline as well as the soccer team of Bahrain. This deal, he said, will add a new dimension to the ongoing campaign to promote Bahrain as a preferred investment and tourist destination