Gulf Air retracts

Once the leading air carrier in the Middle East, Gulf Air continues to retract.

For the future the Bahrain-based carrier has reduced its Boeing 787 Dreamliner commitment to no more than 16 aircraft, eight less than originally planned.  The aircraft are scheduled for delivery towards the end of the decade when they will replace Gulf Air's current wide-body fleet.

On the single aisle front an Airbus order for 20 A330s will now be replaced with eight A320ceo – or current engine option – family aircraft, to be delivered by year-end and up to 16 A320neo – or new engine option – family aircraft.

Gulf Air’s CEO, Samer Majali, said: “As long-standing trade partners, Airbus and Boeing have understood our challenges and I am delighted that we have arrived at mutually agreeable solutions in line with the Government directive to put the airline firmly on a path towards sustainability.  The revised orders reduce our long-term financial liability of approximately US$ 5bn by over 50% and the remaining liability more effectively meets Gulf Air’s future fleet replacement and/or growth requirement”.

Gulf Air flies to 41 international destinations in 30 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. www.gulfair.com

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