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Gulf Air and CFM Sign Long-Term LEAP-1A Support Agreement
Business
• 10-year term
BAHRAIN — 15 November 2018 — Middle East airline Gulf Air and CFM International today signed a long-term agreement for the maintenance of the airline’s LEAP-1A engines. The agreement is valued at just over US $ 1 billion at list price.
Under the terms of this 10-year Rate per Flight Hour agreement, which covers a total of 65 LEAP-1A engines that the airline ordered in 2017, CFM will provide maintenance support for Gulf Air’s fleet on a dollar per flight hour basis.
Gulf Air has been a CFM customer since 1992 and currently operates a fleet of 16 Airbus A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. The company began commercial operations with the A320neo powered by LEAP-1A engines in August 2018.
"We are excited to expand our long-term partnership with CFM, which has been a key partner in our development for more than 25 years," said Mr. Krešimir Kučko, CEO of Gulf Air. We are extremely pleased with the LEAP engine we recently introduced into our fleet. This engine will allow us to continue to improve our commercial offer, while optimizing our operating costs.”
"We are very honored by the confidence Gulf Air has placed in CFM," said Gaël Meheust, CFM president and CEO. “This company is a major player in the growth of air transport in the Middle East and we believe that the introduction of the LEAP engine will allow them to go even further in terms of efficiency. "
Since entering commercial service in August 2016, the LEAP engine has accumulated more than 2 million flight hours with 77 operators worldwide and has provided a 96 percent daily utilization rate.
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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 42 cities in 25 countries spanning three continents.
The airline operates 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 currently serves all its destinations with a combination wide- and narrow-body fleet totaling 28 modern aircraft with orders for 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft due for delivery commencing in early 2018. The new fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering. 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.
About CFM International
LEAP-1A engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. The LEAP engine family is the fastest-selling in aviation history with more than 16,300 orders and commitments booked to date. For more information concerning CFM, visit us on the Web at www.cfmaeroengines.com or follow us on Twitter @CFM_engines.
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