Gulf Air has signed an agreement to purchase 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with options for six more, to expand its international route network.
This new deal will increase the airline’s confirmed orders to 14 Dreamliners and is expected to support around 30,000 jobs in the United States.
New aircraft order
The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., with Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and U.S. Commerce Secretary present alongside Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi.
Khalid Taqi said, “This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air’s strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry’s most advanced and efficient aircraft… We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub.”
Dreamliner fleet expansion
Gulf Air currently operates 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which serve as the core of its long-haul operations to over 50 destinations across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. The airline plans to use the new jets to grow its network further.
Stephanie Pope, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO, said, “We are excited to build on our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as we deliver the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations.”
Boeing 787 overview
The 787 Dreamliner is known for fuel efficiency, long range, and enhanced passenger comfort, featuring the largest windows on any widebody aircraft, improved air quality, and turbulence reduction technology. Since its introduction in 2011, the Dreamliner family has enabled over 425 new nonstop routes and carried more than 1 billion passengers globally.
Gulf Air’s relationship with Boeing dates back to 1961 when the airline took delivery of its first DC-3 aircraft. Since then, it has acquired 37 Boeing planes, including the current 787 fleet.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
