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Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, said it has signed a number of agreements with leading French companies - Thales, Michelin, CFM, Safran Landing System and Epcor (Air France Industries – KLM) during the recent visit of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to France.
The ceremonies took place during a business lunch organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Mouvement des entreprises de France (Medef), France’s main organisation of business owners.
“Gulf Air proudly continues to work with companies based in the Republic of France, contributing to the strong ties between the two countries,” remarked Zayed bin Rashed Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the chairman to the board of directors at Gulf Air, at the event.
“We have had a long and close relationship with French firms and these agreements solidify the confidence the aviation industry in Bahrain has with France,” he added.
The airline has signed with Airbus during the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 for an order of 12 A320neo (out of which two has been delivered already) and 17 A321neo with a total investment with French companies exceeding $3.5 billion.
On the Thales deal, Gulf Air said it had selected the French group's Ka-band connectivity solution for its B787-9 and A321Neo-E (LR) fleet.
As per the deal, Thales will provide a robust, modular and full-featured connectivity platform for a best in class experience onboard leveraging Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network. It will also deliver the highest performing connectivity service on the market, providing a complete end-to-end connectivity solution.
Through the connectivity portal and onboard Wi-Fi network, passengers can browse the internet, check social media, shop onboard and much more during their flights, said the statement from Gulf Air.
Thales’ Ka-band connectivity solution leverages the Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite network. It is designed as a robust, modular and full-featured platform for a best-in-class onboard experience with reliable, seamless high-speed global coverage, it stated.
On the Michelin deal, The Bahrain national carrier said the leading French tyre company was chosen to equip every aircraft type within its fleet with tyres including its brand new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s, Airbus 320neo’s and Airbus 321neo’s.
On the CFM pact, Gulf Air said it had finalised an agreement with the French group for the purchase of 65 LEAP-1A engines to power 17 Airbus A320 neo and 12 A321neo aircraft.
The engine order is valued at $1 billion at list price. Gulf Air has been a CFM customer since 1992 and currently operates a fleet of 16 Airbus A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines.
With its new LEAP-1A-powered A320neo family aircraft, Gulf Air is going to strengthen its footprint in the Middle-East with new routes, while enhancing its services for customers.
On the Safran Landing System deal, Gulf Air said it is aimed at equipping the airline’s new fleet of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A320neo with Safran Landing Systems wheels and brakes.
On the agreement with Epcor (Air France Industries – KLM), the flag carrier said it had entrusted maintenance of the APS5000 auxiliary power units (APU) equipping the airline’s 10 new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to AFI KLM E&M.
The long-term contract includes a guarantee covering APU replacement. The repair services will be provided by AFI KLM E&M subsidiary Epcor, global market leader for MRO support for APUs, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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