Gulf Air Places Order for 12 787 Dreamliner Aircraft
US aircraft manufacturer and Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air have announced an agreement for the purchase of 12 787 Dreamliner jets with options for six more as the airline looking to further develop its international network.
Once finalised, this order will bring the carrier’s firm order book to 14 of the versatile widebody jets and will support 30,000 jobs across the US, Boeing said on Thursday. With this, Gulf Air will grow its all-787 widebody fleet adding up to 18 787 Dreamliner Jets to its widebody fleet.
Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi to witness the signing.
Khalid Taqi said that this agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air’s strategic growth journey as they were expanding Gulf Air’s global footprint and modernise its fleet with one of the industry’s most advanced and efficient aircraft.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for Gulf Air’s long-haul operations, and this new order reflects the airline’s confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to its sustainability goals.
“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub,” he added.
The 787 Dreamliner, recognised for its fuel efficiency, range and passenger experience, already serves as the backbone of Gulf Air’s long-haul operations connecting over 50 destinations. With 10 787 airplanes in service, the airline is well-positioned to grow its network, serving new and existing markets across Asia, Europe and the US.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that they were excited to build on their our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as Boeing delivers the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations.
Reinforces Bahrain’s Position
“This investment in the 787 Dreamliner demonstrates Gulf Air’s commitment to new technology and sustainable development, reinforcing Bahrain’s position in the aviation sector,” he added.
The 787 Dreamliner family has transformed global air travel by opening over 425 new nonstop routes and carrying more than 1 billion passengers worldwide since its commercial introduction in 2011.
As Gulf Air’s flagship airplane, the 787 features the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.
From its first DC-3 in 1961, Gulf Air has taken delivery of 37 Boeing airplanes, including the 787 jets currently in its fleet.
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