Bahrain News: 300 former staff set to attend Gulf Air Golden Falcon reunion

The official date for the annual Gulf Air Golden Falcon reunion has been announced for November 27, with up to 300 former members of staff expected to attend from around the world, following the success of last year’s edition.

Nostalgia will run high as former pilots and cabin crew from Bahrain, and other countries, rekindle their love for flying and bring alive ‘golden’ memories from their days working with the national carrier. Many employees currently working with the airline will also join in the fun.

Last year’s GDN story

The gathering will happen at the Golden Tulip in Manama and is being organised by retired Bahraini cabin crew member Waleed Buhammod, aged 65, who worked with Gulf Air for almost 27 years.

Mr Buhammod

“Spurred on by the overwhelming response to last year’s event, I decided to have another one this year,” Mr Buhammod told the GDN. “We have plans to make this an annual programme. I would like to thank all those who have helped make it a success especially Golden Tulip and Fahdan Group, who have supported us.

Mr Buhammod when he was cabin crew member with Gulf Air

“We have other events planned, including a tour of Bab Al Bahrain with traditional breakfast, a cultural experience at the popular Muharraq Nights event and a day-trip to Al Daar Islands,” he added.

The excitement has been building up as some attendees are returning to Bahrain after more than 30 years.

“Last year, the hotel had asked me if we want a dance floor and I said ‘no’ as we’re not young anymore. We just want to sit and chat. Believe it or not, there were so many of us dancing by the end of day – it was truly a wonderful time together,” he remarked.

Dorine Oberndorfer nee Eisink will be among the ‘young at heart’ who will be in Bahrain next month. The Netherlands national first came to the kingdom in the 1970s.

Flashback: Ms Oberndorfer ready for a flight

“I came with a big Dutch group and joined Gulf Air on January 6, 1977,” she recalled. “I used to fly on the Tristar, Boeing 737 and Fokker. During our time, we wore the iconic uniform with the green and maroon scarf, which was designed by Joy Stokes.

Ms Oberndorfer, right, with former Gulf Air colleague Kimi Akai who will also be attending the reunion next month

“After a while, I joined the Gulf Air VIP team Bahrain International Airport as part of the ‘meet-and-assist team’ for VIP travellers on Gulf Air flights. It was founded and set up by Leila from Gulf Air Paris and myself. Our boss Hameed Al Alawi – a traffic manager in those days – is one of the Bahraini pioneers of Gulf Air. His son Captain Waleed Al Alawi was the former Gulf Air chief executive,” added the 71-year-old, who presently lives in Bavaria, Germany.

Ms Oberndorfer in the iconic uniform

Ms Oberndorfer is now retired but her connection with Gulf Air continues to remain strong. She manages the tribute and fan pages for the airline.

Ms Oberndorfer

Present day Ms Oberndorfer

Gulf Air was formally incorporated in 1950 as Gulf Aviation Company, a private air taxi service founded by former Royal Air Force pilot Freddy Bosworth. Following his death in 1951, the British Overseas Airways Corporation bought a major share in the airline. In 1974, it was renamed Gulf Air and became the flag carrier for the four shareholding states of Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE. Bahrain acquired full ownership in 2007.

The airline presently has more than 60 international destinations on its network and Gulf Air recently operated its inaugural direct flight to Kuala Lumpur ahead of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.

In addition to those flying in for the event, there will be many attending from Bahrain. GDN Media’s sales director and Gulf Air ex-staff Alison Lillywhite, aged 56, is excited to meet her batchmates, who are planning to attend the reunion.

Ms Lillywhite, standing second from left, with her colleagues back in the day

The Bahraini from Budaiya left the airline after four-and-a-half years as senior flight supervisor in 1994. Reminiscing her flying days, she said: “For my third flight, I was rostered for a Royal Flight to Dusseldorf. At that time, I did not even know where it was located. I thought maybe rostering was trying to prank me, as I was very new. To my delight, it was a fabulous Royal Flight and I was so excited and proud to be on that one.”

Ms Lillywhite

For her part, Bahraini ex-staff Zainab Mahdi, aged 58, also expressed her excitement to attend the event.

Ms Mahdi, centre, with her colleagues during her flying days

“It will be nice to meet everyone once again,” she said.

Ms Mahdi

Sri Lankan-Indian expatriate Hilary Fernandes from Manama, who joined in 2004, recounted her journey that lasted 10 years.

Ms Fernandes with a colleague before boarding a flight

“I was a cabin senior when I left. As a little girl, my dream was to be an air hostess and I had a scrapbook of places I wanted to visit,” noted the globetrotter, who has visited 72 countries.

Travel enthusiast Ms Fernandes on a recent holiday

“Every flight was special as we all worked together as a family regardless of our backgrounds,” added the 43-year-old, who presently works in sales at GDN Media.

Spurred on by a good experience last year, Bahrain-based Omani pilot Karim Al Marjiby will be attending the event and is excited to meet his retired friends.

Mr Al Marjiby

The Saar resident currently works with Gulf Air and trains young pilots.

A young Al Marjiby all smiles in the cockpit

“This year feels even more special because the reunion happens to fall on my birthday!” said the 56-year-old. “My colleagues Lee Brown, Sana, Ehsan, Marina, Manya, Felisa and Isabel also have their birthdays in November and I’m looking forward to reconnecting,” he added.

Mr Al Marjiby during his earlier days of flying Gulf Air

melissa@gdnmedia.bh