Marks initial order for new V2500 SelectTwo

Paris, France  (June 20, 2011) -- Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has selected International Aero Engines AG to power six A321 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for IAE's new V2500 SelectTwo™ engine.  These extended-range Airbus platforms will be delivered in 2012, marking Gulf Air's initial application of V2500 engines into its fleet.

"We are pleased to be selected to provide Gulf Air with not only their first V2500 power-plants, but as the first customer to order our new SelectTwo offering," said Ian Aitken, president of IAE.  "I am confident they made the right decision based on performance, reliability and maintainability that the V2500 SelectTwo will provide for their fleet."

The value of the contract is approximately $180M.

"The competitive fleet hourly offering from IAE and fuel burn advantage were key

characteristics that assured us that the V2500 was the right engine for us," explained

Samer Majali, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air.  "Superb technology and world-class reliability were also important factors in our decision."

He added that the qualities brought by SelectTwo will enable his airline to more easily focus on developing a profitable regional route structure and optimize its network.

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise of Pratt & Whitney (NYSE: UTX), Rolls-Royce (RR.L.), Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. There are more than 5,500 V2500s in service or on firm order with nearly 200 customers around the world.

-Ends-

About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is the proud national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. As a pioneering airline in the Middle East region with sixty years of experience and expertise in flying people across continents, Gulf Air is today one of the most powerful brands and a name to reckon with in the global aviation industry.

One of the prime objectives of Gulf Air is to connect Bahrain to the Middle East countries and the rest of the world. As such the airline currently operates the largest network in the Middle East with non-stop flights while providing seamless onward connections to other international destinations. The airline's current network stretches from Europe to Asia, connecting 49 cities in 32 countries, with a fleet of 35 aircraft. 

In tune with the Kingdom's economic blue print, 'Vision 2030', Gulf Air's strategy is to build an efficient, commercially sustainable and dynamic airline that effectively serves the people and the economy of Bahrain and represents the Kingdom on the world stage. Reflecting the needs and aspirations of its customers, the strategy focuses on three core areas: a targeted, more focused international network, a superior, more consistent product and a modern, more efficient fleet that will optimize value. However, Gulf Air's goal remains unchanged; its commitment to the latest aviation technology complemented by its hallmark Arabian hospitality for which the airline is well known.   

For more information please visit www.gulfair.com 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Katherine Kaczynska
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Gulf Air Tel: +973 17338416 - +973 36500292
Email: katherine.kaczynska@gulfair.com

© Press Release 2011