LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Bahrain's national flag carrier, Gulf Air, is set to unveil a brand new Airbus A320 aircraft adorned with a custom-made livery honouring the kingdom's first-ever international air show which opens at the Sakhir airbase tomorrow.

It has been designed by celebrated aviation artist Bader Yousif Murad, the airline's aircraft analysis manager and inspired by his true love, his wife Albatoul.

Bader, 44, from Muharraq, said: 'I have been attending air shows in the US and UK and as this was the first time it was happening here, I wanted to do something to promote both my country and the air show.

'I was also in the middle of organising a bigger project in my life - my wedding. At the same time, I did not want to miss the opportunity to add my signature to this wonderful event and I was hoping to create a design that would be remembered for years to come.

'The picture I had in my mind while I was designing the artwork was of a beautiful lady with long, silky hair flowing smoothly into the air - the way it would blow in the wind while riding a horse or when a mermaid would glide through water. This long hair is Bahrain's flag.

'I was imagining I could see the innocence on her face as I imagined her adorning an elegant chiffon veil. And, the fuselage for me is like a beautiful face, just like my beautiful country and my design shows how Bahrain is flying high over the Sakhir desert.

'It was then that I realised that my imagination was a reflection of my lady love, my fiancŽe, whom I was to wed in a few weeks time.'

Bader has dedicated his design to his wife, Albatoul, 34, from Algeria, whom he married in a grand ceremony in November last year shortly before the livery was painted. Albatoul, an Arabic name, also means a lady with a beautiful face.

Two-years ago he designed the livery of 'Pearl of the Desert', an Airbus A330-200 which celebrated the kingdom's annual Formula One race held at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Calling the air show a landmark event, Gulf Air's CEO Samer Majali said: 'There is already an air of excitement and expectation about this event and Gulf Air is pleased to dedicate a fully-branded aircraft that will serve as the ambassador of this prestigious event the kingdom is hosting for the first time.'

A delighted Bader Yousif Murad believes the aircraft's design is also a tribute to his country and embodies the spirit of nationalism and modernity while adding to the beauty of the national carrier's brand.

Bader's passion for flying machines began early in life while growing up next to the airport, watching aircraft flying over his house. This passion developed into a hobby of collecting aircraft models. Later, a young Bader went on to earn a Masters of Aeronautical Science in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, US.

At the centre of the livery is an image of Bahrain's flag that gives emphasis to the ownership of the airline and the venue of the air show.

The Formula One pearly gold is the main colour on the fuselage and represents the Sakhir desert. A silver line has been added between the gold and the red to emphasis the air show and represents the aluminium body of an aircraft.

Two main colours that have a major prominence are the Gulf Air colours. The standard corporate identity of the airline stays and the Bahrain Air show emblem is on the engines.

Bader added: 'The flow and direction of the event's logo is in perfect alignment with the falcon on the tail and I am sure it will be an exceptional sight in the sky and on the ground.'

The new Airbus A320 aircraft was manufactured in Toulouse in France and was painted in Norwich UK. The paint job, which was completed over seven days took 10 painters 700 man hours while using up 6,000 meters of masking tape, 150 pairs of gloves, one tonne of paint and 2,000 sqm of covering papers.

The aircraft will be flying throughout the Gulf Air network promoting Bahrain and the BIAS event. Gulf Air is a major sponsor of the event along with Batelco and Al Haddad Transport. It will be held from January 21-23.