Gulf Air welcomes second Airbus A320neo to its fleet

Manama, Mar. 6 (BNA): Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier, on Wednesday welcomed the airline’s second Airbus A320neo to join the fleet. The plane, which landed in Bahrain International Airport, is the second aircraft of the 12 A320neo aircraft ordered during the 2016 Bahrain International Airshow. This delivery also makes Gulf Air the first national carrier to fly the A320neo in the Middle East and Africa region. “We are delighted to welcome the second A320neo to our fleet, and proud to be the first national carrier in the region to operate the A320neo," Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Krešimir Kučko, said. "We have a strong network in the region with multiple daily flights to 10 regional cities and the addition of A320neo into our fleet will strengthen our position in our market. We invite our loyal customers to come on-board and enjoy the experience of flying on A320neo.” Gulf Air’s A320neo (new engine option) is the most advanced A320 version as Airbus continues to invest over 300 million Euros a year in innovation and upgrades for the A320 family to maintain its position as the most advanced and fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft family. Featuring the widest single aisle cabin in the market, the new aircraft is equipped with LEAP-1A engines from CFM International and feature large wingtip devices known as Sharklets. Together they deliver 15 per cent fuel burn reduction per seat. The A320neo is also more eco-friendly with 5,000 tonnes less CO2 emissions per year per aircraft and nearly 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft. Last year, Gulf Air received five Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft as it continues its major fleet development project which will see by end of 2023 a total of 39 new aircraft. They are 10 Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner, 12 Airbus A320neo and 17 Airbus A321neo aircraft. Gulf Air launched its operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 47 cities in 26 countries. It operates double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air currently serves all its destinations with a combination of wide and narrow body fleet of 34 aircraft. The airline received five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s and one Airbus A320neo aircraft in 2018. In 2019, it will receive two Dreamliner’s and four A320neos. The modern fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering. Gulf Air has been the Title Sponsor of the FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX ever since it made history as the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in the Middle East in 2004. In addition, the airline has been Official Carrier of the biennial Bahrain International Airshow since it started in 2010.