Taking off on a healthy note

Gulf Air is introducing a box full of tricks to ensure children enjoy the travelling experience with a healthy option of food on every flight.

One of the biggest criticisms of air travel in recent years has surrounded the quality of fare offered to youngsters and the national carrier believes it has found a solution with its newly-launched Kids’ Meal Boxes.

To put the concept to the test Gulf Air staged an activity-filled nutritional workshop for pupils at St Christopher’s School in Saar.

Sky Nanny Monika Zolcik introduced the two-tiered fun-filled concept through interactive games and activities with prizes sponsored by the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark, Ballare School of Performing Arts, Wahooo! Waterpark Bahrain and CafÈ Ceramique.

Gulf Air chief services officer Marcus Bernhardt said: 'Firstly, we designed a new box to place the meal in so children can enjoy the experience. The box has different doors to be opened and it can be moved around. Children are able to play a little bit before getting to the actual food, it acts like an adventure.

'Secondly, it was important to offer food that the children are attracted to and that the parent would also find suitable.

'We are the first airline to introduce such a concept and have come up with a fine combination of meals featuring chicken or fish, salads and fruit – healthy food for children.
'Gulf Air won the Family Friendly Airline Award 2012 and we want to continue to show how important families are to us.'

The box is designed with two different levels with the bottom designated for hot food and the top to hold desserts, fruits and salads. They will be provided to children flying to London, Paris and Frankfurt and will be made available on other Gulf Air routes in 2013.

On show at St Christopher’s School was a snippet of the types of food that will be available including sandwiches, mixed fruits, raisins and cupcakes. Sky chefs are also involved in the process and have come up with a range of new healthy recipes.

The on-board Sky Nanny, who looks after children 12 years and under, is responsible for communicating with parents and identifying whether certain children are allowed specific foods.

Mr Bernhardt believes his background in the hospitality industry, as well as being a father-of-two daughters, Valentina, 12, and Anina, 14, has helped him to understand customer needs. He moved from Switzerland to Bahrain in 2010 with his wife, Bettina, and family.

He said: 'Another initiative that Gulf Air will launch in December is a new toy set up. It will target two different age groups, three-to-six and six-to-12. We will have a discussion with children and ask for their feedback on what types of toys they would most like to play with on board.'

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