By NNN-KUNA,
Paris : Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air has placed a firm order with Airbus for 35 aircraft.
This new order will more than double the number of Airbus aircraft in its fleet, the plane manufacturer announced Wednesday.
The contract was signed by Gulf Air CEO Bjorn Naf and Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders at the Berlin Air show.
On this occasion, Naf said in a press release, “Gulf Air is taking huge strides forward in its strategy to re-fleet and expand its network and this contract is a significant milestone in this direction as we aim to become the airline of choice and the pearl of the Gulf.”
The order comprises 15 A320 single aisle aircraft and 20 A330-300s. The A320 will serve Gulf Air’s regional destinations while the A330 will operate on the airline’s European routes and enhance its Far Eastern services.
Gulf Air launched services in 1950 and is one of the Middle East’s major international carriers, serving over 40 destinations worldwide.
For his part, Enders said: “Gulf Air is undergoing a rapid expansion and Airbus is delighted to partner the airline in their ambitions. It is a mark of the quality of our aircraft that Gulf Air has chosen aircraft from two of our families of products.”
Over 6,100 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been sold and over 3,400 delivered to more than 275 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s “best-selling” commercial jetliner ever.