Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain - 21 January 2016

Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain's national carrier, has announced, on the first day of the Bahrain International Airshow 2016, restructured orders of 45 aircraft  with Boeing and Airbus in deals worth a combined total of USD7.6 billion. The orders consist of 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 17 Airbus A321neo and 12 Airbus A320neo aircraft.

The deliveries of these aircraft will commence from Q2 2018. The orders follow extensive negotiations with both aircraft manufactureres to revise Gulf Air's previous orders with Boeing and Airbus. The restructured orders will simplify Gulf Air's future wide-body fleet to Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and ensure its future narrow-body fleet will largely focus on A320 neo Family aircraft.

These orders provide Gulf Air with the requisite expansion capabilities for the airline's extensively studied future network requirements, ensures it maintains one of the youngest fleets in the region while building upon its award-winning reliability and on time performance.

Commenting on the agreement, Gulf Air A/Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam, said, "As long-standing partners, Boeing and Airbus have understood the challenges faced by Gulf Air and embraced our future looking strategy. I am delighted that we have arrived at mutually agreeable solutions to restructure our previous orders with aircraft that are more fuel-efficient, modernised, reliable and which, at the same time, allow Gulf Air to operate our wide and narrow-body fleet at lower operating costs. This is in-line with our mission to put the airline firmly on a path towards longterm commercial sustainability. These revised and consolidated orders are based on comprehensive current and future network studies and satisfy Gulf Air's future network expansion plans and fleet requirement. As a result, I now look forward to furthering Gulf Air's fleet modernization process and supporting our network and overall passenger experience enhancement strategies; the airline's future looks increasingly promising."

"As Gulf Air modernizes and expands its operations, Boeing is proud that the 787 will be an integral part of the airline's fleet strategy and the flagship for its long-haul, international operations," said Marty Bentrott, Vice President - Sales, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  "The industry leading efficiencies of the 787 family will provide Gulf Air with superior fuel conservation, reliability and passenger comfort and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership."

"We are pleased that Gulf Air has chosen the A320neo Family to complement its long-term growth strategy. The fuel efficient aircraft will provide the airline with a higher operational efficiency and profitability while its wider cabins will open a new dimension of passenger appeal," said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.

Gulf Air continues to rationalize its operations in its mission to realize commercial sustainability. Progressively improving business results have reduced the airline's financial losses by approximately 85% since 2012 and, today, Gulf Air's strategic direction has shifted - with positive KPIs all around that are a sure sign of its ongoing recovery and a permanent, positive change in its financial trajectory. Alongside this, the airline's strategic direction encompasses fleet developments to cater to future network and capacity enhancement and fleet modernization.

-Ends-

About Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 45 cities in 24 countries spanning three continents. The airline operates one of the largest networks in the Middle East, with double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline's signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.

Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom's on-going economic growth.

Gulf Air was the Title Sponsor of the 2015 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX and is the Official Airline of the Bahrain International Airshow 2016.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Azza Mubarak Matar
Senior Manager Communications
Gulf Air Tel: +973 17338765 / +973 39652012
Email: Azza.Matar@gulfair.com  

© Press Release 2016