Washington, D.C. – Gulf Air, the flag carrier of Bahrain, has placed a firm order for 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with options for six more, as part of a major widebody fleet expansion. The deal was signed on July 17 during the official U.S. visit of Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Notably, this marks Boeing’s first publicly confirmed 787 order since the fatal crash of Air India Flight AI171 in June.
The order is part of Gulf Air’s long term strategy to modernise its fleet and expand its route network. Khalid Hussain Taqi, Chairman of Gulf Air Group, said the order reflects the airline’s continued drive for growth and development, increasing passenger capacity by over 20%. He added that the investment supports Gulf Air’s commitment to fuel efficiency, environmental sustainability, and passenger comfort, while also underscoring the strength of Bahrain–U.S. aviation ties.
With 10 Dreamliners already in service, Gulf Air could grow its 787 fleet to 28 aircraft if all six options are exercised. The airline has chosen GE Aerospace engines for the new aircraft.
According to the Bahrain News Agency, the total agreement is valued at $4.6 billion.
The two parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore establishing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bahrain. The MoU paves the way for potential strategic partnerships to establish world-class MRO capabilities in Bahrain, fostering job creation and developing local talent in the aviation maintenance sector.
The U.S. Department of Commerce valued the deal at $7 billion and emphasized that the agreement supports more than 400,000 American jobs over the course of production and delivery.
Image Source: Boeing Newsroom
Read: Boeing Stock Movement After the Air India AI171 Crash: From Market Jitters to a 52-Week High
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