Gulf Air, Bahrain's national airline, has signed a letter of intent to buy eight wide-bodied Boeing 787 Dreamliners, adding to an existing order for 16 Dreamliners it signed in January. The deal, signed yesterday in Washington State by the chairman of Gulf Air, Talal al Zain, is worth about US$1.68 billion (Dh6.17) at list prices. The aircraft will be used to firm-up existing routes as well as launch new destinations, a company spokesman said.
Gulf Air has embarked on a major fleet acquisition campaign this year that includes a firm order for 35 aircraft from Airbus, including 15 A320 single aisle aircraft and 20 A330-300s, worth $5.17 billion at list prices. The total value of Gulf Air's acquisitions this year is $12.85bn, not including discounts that airlines typically receive for bulk purchases. Production of the Boeing 787, considered the fastest selling airplane ever with nearly 900 sold before the first delivery, has been delayed by at least 14 months. Gulf Air expects to receive its first of 24 Dreamliners in 2016.
Gulf Air currently flies throughout the Gulf and to Asia, Europe and Africa using a total of 30 leased and owned aircraft. It plans to operate a fleet to 50 by 2013 and 60 by the end of next decade, after using new deliveries to phase out some of its leased planes. @email:igale@thenational.com