MANAMA — Kresimir Kucko will step down from his role as the Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air by the end of the month, the Bahrain News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Commenting on this development, chairman of Gulf Air’s board of directors Zayed R. Alzayani said: “We extend our sincere thanks to Kresimir Kucko for his dedication, contributions, and services during his tenure with us. On behalf of Gulf Air’s board of directors, the airline’s management team, and workforce I extend my thanks to him for his contributions and wish him success going forward.”

Kucko said: “I was truly honored to have contributed to the success story of Gulf Air over the past three years amidst the many challenges we faced. Working with a talented, majority Bahraini workforce of aviation professionals has been a positive experience that saw us collectively deliver strong results for Gulf Air. The experience of living in Bahrain has been truly incredible both for myself and my family; we have been warmly welcomed by all and truly embraced Bahrain’s rich culture.”

Joining in 2017, Kucko began his journey at Gulf Air by setting the organization's strategy with clear corporate goals and a concise five-year network and fleet expansion plan. Furthermore, Kucko significantly cut costs while increasing its revenue, rolling out a host of updated services for passengers, and cutting operational losses. This was achieved in a challenging operating environment characterized by fluctuating fuel prices, growing competition, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted the global aviation landscape. — SG