*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) MANAMA, Bahrain - October 12, 2009: Gulf Air yesterday officially began its fleet renewal programme with the arrival 
of the first of 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft. Welcoming the first plane at the apron of Bahrain International Airport, Gulf Air chairman Talal Alzain said the airline had now taken another step forward in its mission to deliver a national airline everyone in Bahrain could be proud of.
"We shall be a dynamic and focused business that supports the national economy," he said.
"By investing in our fleet now, we are securing the future of Gulf Air because with a modern, more efficient fleet we can lower our costs and deliver better service."
From now until April next year, Gulf Air will receive one A320 aircraft per month and an additional two A320s in December next year, completing the delivery of its first batch of A320 aircraft on order.
Chief executive officer Samer Majali said the arrival of the plane is the start of exciting times for the airline.
"The beginning of the fleet renewal is another milestone for us and is extremely timely as we continue to shape our new strategic direction."
He said the new aircraft together with the others that will follow will be used to replace Gulf Air's older narrow-body aircraft that are less fuel efficient and becoming more expensive to maintain.
"They will also be used to grow our Middle East network on important strategic and high-yielding routes such as our expansion into Iraq."
He said Gulf Air chose the A320 due to the innovations and performance advances Airbus had made.
"These make the aircraft more operationally efficient and reliable whilst at the same time achieving the highest levels in comfort for our customers. Its environmental performance was also a consideration, which is the best among all single aisle aircraft."
The new A320 has been decked in the airline's distinctive gold and white livery and displays the golden falcon emblazoned on the tail fin.
Gulf Air now has a total of 13 narrow-body aircraft: nine A320s, two A319s and two A321s.
Powered by CFM56 engines, the new aircraft will carry 136 passengers in a two-class configuration with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats.
It also boasts eco-friendly paint.
The environmentally sustainable chromate-free paint uses 15 per cent less paint when applied to the aircraft, which in turn allows the aircraft to weigh less, which results in less fuel burned and ultimately less aircraft CO2 emissions.
of the first of 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft. Welcoming the first plane at the apron of Bahrain International Airport, Gulf Air chairman Talal Alzain said the airline had now taken another step forward in its mission to deliver a national airline everyone in Bahrain could be proud of.
"We shall be a dynamic and focused business that supports the national economy," he said.
"By investing in our fleet now, we are securing the future of Gulf Air because with a modern, more efficient fleet we can lower our costs and deliver better service."
From now until April next year, Gulf Air will receive one A320 aircraft per month and an additional two A320s in December next year, completing the delivery of its first batch of A320 aircraft on order.
Chief executive officer Samer Majali said the arrival of the plane is the start of exciting times for the airline.
"The beginning of the fleet renewal is another milestone for us and is extremely timely as we continue to shape our new strategic direction."
He said the new aircraft together with the others that will follow will be used to replace Gulf Air's older narrow-body aircraft that are less fuel efficient and becoming more expensive to maintain.
"They will also be used to grow our Middle East network on important strategic and high-yielding routes such as our expansion into Iraq."
He said Gulf Air chose the A320 due to the innovations and performance advances Airbus had made.
"These make the aircraft more operationally efficient and reliable whilst at the same time achieving the highest levels in comfort for our customers. Its environmental performance was also a consideration, which is the best among all single aisle aircraft."
The new A320 has been decked in the airline's distinctive gold and white livery and displays the golden falcon emblazoned on the tail fin.
Gulf Air now has a total of 13 narrow-body aircraft: nine A320s, two A319s and two A321s.
Powered by CFM56 engines, the new aircraft will carry 136 passengers in a two-class configuration with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats.
It also boasts eco-friendly paint.
The environmentally sustainable chromate-free paint uses 15 per cent less paint when applied to the aircraft, which in turn allows the aircraft to weigh less, which results in less fuel burned and ultimately less aircraft CO2 emissions.
