GULF AIR SELECTS B/E AEROSPACE TO SUPPLY BUSINESS CLASS SEATING FOR BOEING 787 AIRCRAFT

Farnborough, United Kingdom – 13 July 2016: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, today announced, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2016, the selection of B/E Aerospace to supply the business class seating for its Boeing 787 aircraft.

B/E Aerospace, the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products, will supply their next generation business class seats for Gulf Air’s 10 new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The first B787-9 deliveries are scheduled for 2018.

Commenting on the announcement Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are enhancing the entire spectrum of Gulf Air’s onboard product offering and, with this key partnership we are confident that the passenger experience will be elevated – meeting the needs and requirements of travellers moving across the Gulf Air network.”

At the contract signing ceremony, Werner Lieberherr, CEO and President of B/E Aerospace stated, “We are pleased to be here today with Gulf Air in Farnborough and to have been awarded the business class seating program for Gulf Air’s Boeing 787 aircraft. Our seats will provide the Gulf Air passenger with enhanced comfort and functionality within the business class cabin.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with Gulf Air.”

The B/E Aerospace business class seat will be jointly developed with Gulf Air to provide Gulf Air’s passengers with enhanced living space, functionality and comfort.

The signing was witnessed by Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications H.E. Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed and the attending Bahraini delegation.

Gulf Air recently announced restructured aircraft orders in January this year at the Bahrain International Airshow 2016, geared towards facilitating long-term expansion capabilities for the airline’s future network requirement. Gulf Air’s other Farnborough International Airshow 2016 announcements reflect the airline’s ongoing investment in its product and service offering. They include the selection of Thales AVANT In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system for the airline’s future fleet and awarding Rolls-Royce a contract for Trent 1000 engines to power 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 6 further Boeing 787-9 options.

Today’s announcement follows the recent release of Gulf Air’s 2015 financial and operational results, which showed the airline’s ongoing positive development as it realises full commercial sustainability and increasingly focuses on managing and further investing in its ongoing growth and development.

 

About Gulf Air

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 40 cities in 23 countries spanning three continents. The airline operates one of the largest networks in the Middle East, with 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 serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline’s signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.

 

Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s on-going economic growth.

 

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 to be held in the Middle East in 2004. In addition, the airline has been Official Carrier of the biennial Bahrain International Airshow since it was first held in 2010.