Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has ceremonially signed a number of agreements with French based companies during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain’s visit to France.
The ceremonies took place during a business lunch organized by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the MEDEF, France’s main organization of business owners.
HE Zayed bin Rashed Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Chairman to the Board of Directors at Gulf Air, said during the lunch in Paris: “Gulf Air proudly continues to work with companies based in the Republic of France, contributing to the strong ties between the two countries.
“We have had a long and close relationship with French firms and these agreements solidify the confidence the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain has with France.”
The airline has signed with Airbus during the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 for an order of 12 A320neo (out of which 2 has been delivered already) and 17 A321neo with a total investment with French companies exceeding $3.5 billion.
Gulf Air has selected Thales’ Ka-band connectivity solution for its B787-9 and A321Neo-E (LR) fleet.
Thales will provide a robust, modular and full-featured connectivity platform for a best in class experience onboard leveraging Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network.
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Through the connectivity portal and onboard Wi-Fi network, passengers can browse the internet, check social media, shop onboard and much more during their flights.
Michelin, the leading tyre company based in the Republic of France, was selected to equip every aircraft type within its fleet with tyres including its brand new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s, Airbus 320neo’s and Airbus 321neo’s.
Meanwhile, Gulf Air and CFM International finalized an agreement for the purchase of 65 LEAP-1A engines to power 17 Airbus A320 neo and 12 A321neo aircraft.
The engine order is valued at approximately $1 billion U.S. at list price.
In another agreement, Gulf Air signed with Safran an agreement to equip the airline’s new fleet of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A320neo with Safran Landing Systems wheels and brakes.
In the final agreement Gulf Air has entrusted maintenance of the APS5000 auxiliary power units (APU) equipping the airline’s 10 new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to AFI KLM E&M.
The long-term contract includes a guarantee covering APU replacement. The repair services will be provided by AFI KLM E&M subsidiary EPCOR, global market leader for MRO support for APUs.
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