Gulf Air has announced a significant fleet expansion with an agreement to purchase 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, alongside options for six additional jets. This strategic move reinforces the Bahrain-based airline’s ambition to grow its international network and further enhance its long-haul capabilities. Once finalised, the order will raise Gulf Air’s total firm commitment to 14 Dreamliners, supporting approximately 30,000 jobs across the United States.
The signing ceremony was attended by high-level dignitaries and industry leaders, including Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope, and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is known for its advanced fuel efficiency, long range, and improved passenger experience. It currently serves as the cornerstone of Gulf Air’s long-haul operations, which span over 50 destinations worldwide. With ten Dreamliners already in operation, the airline is well equipped to expand its reach into new and existing markets across Asia, Europe, and North America.
This latest investment builds on a long-standing relationship between Gulf Air and Boeing, dating back to the airline’s acquisition of its first DC-3 aircraft in 1961. To date, Gulf Air has taken delivery of 37 Boeing aircraft, including the Dreamliners that now form the backbone of its global network. The new order reflects Gulf Air’s confidence in Boeing’s wide-body technology and its own ambitions for international growth.
