FLEEET - Bahrain to buy 12 Boeing jets worth $7bn for Gulf Air

Bahrain will buy at least twelve Boeing jets worth USD7 billion, with an option for six more, for its flag carrier Gulf Air (GF, Bahrain International) as part of USD17 billion investment package from the kingdom in the United States, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on July 16.

Bloomberg earlier reported, citing sources, that Gulf Air was looking at a dozen B787s in a firm order, with an option to buy more. The deal also includes the sale of forty General Electric engines, representing a move away from Rolls-Royce. As ch-aviation previously reported, Gulf Air, like many airlines, has faced Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine shortages, resulting in one of its B787-9s having been grounded for nearly two years.

ch-aviation has contacted Gulf Air for more details of the new order.

The announcement follows Trump’s earlier trip to the Middle East and adds to a series of regional investment pledges, including USD1.2 trillion from Qatar and USD600 million from Saudi Arabia.

Gulf Air currently operates a widebody fleet of ten B787-9s (with two more to be delivered at the end of 2026 and in 2027) powered by Rolls-Royce engines. Its narrowbody fleet comprises eight A320-200s and four A321-200s with CFM International CFM56 engines, plus seven A320-200Ns, nine A321-200NX, and five A321-200NX(LR)s with LEAP-1A engines.

During the prince’s US visit, Gulf Air also announced a new direct flight to New York JFK, starting October 1, using a B787-9.

CH Aviation

Image: Gulf Air