In a comment published on Tuesday, 11^th September 2007, in a local newspaper, the Bahrain Airport Services Company (BAS) was allegedly blamed for "delaying scheduled flights" and for "selling commodities at a double charge". In response, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo, has explained as follows:

• "BAS has never been the cause for any delay to Gulf Air flights and that our ground handling service charges are regionally quite competitive. The charges have not been adjusted for the last 20 years. We are eager to cooperate with Gulf Air, being our national carrier. Our services are excellent and special consideration is given to Gulf Air. Additionally, a special discount is given on certain services. It is our objective to promote Bahrain International Airport and to effectively contribute to our overall national economy.

• "Over the recent past years, as well as this year, BAS has upgraded its equipment and significantly increased the number of staff and workers to cope with Gulf Air requirements and flight schedules. Similar high standard services are also provided by BAS to other international airlines using Bahrain International Airport, for which several international awards have been obtained by BAS. We feel that associating BAS with losses sustained by Gulf Air is absolutely unfair and inaccurate. We shall continue developing our services to keep abreast of international technologies and service standards and to ensure that Bahrain International Airport is always at the lead, both regionally and internationally. Our cooperation with Gulf Air takes place at all levels, and we share Gulf Air's objective of overcoming its crisis.

• "We would like to take this opportunity to commend the prominent role of the House of Deputies' Financial & Economic Committee, which is closely following up the position of Gulf Air, and we are willing to meet with the Committee to further explain our views."

• To sort out the issues, Board Members of BAS and Gulf Air had a meeting yesterday.  A reliable source said that the discussions were cordial, fruitful and the outcome was positive.