Gulf Air (GF, Bahrain International) is to lease nine A320neo Family aircraft from BOC Aviation as it pushes ahead with plans to expand its network. The contract comprises six A320-200Ns and three A321-200Ns.
The Singapore-based lessor said in a May 29 press release it had entered into an agreement with Airbus to purchase the nine new narrowbodies and commit them "on long-term leases to new customer Gulf Air". The new jets, which are to be delivered over three years starting in 2025, will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, it added.
The airline currently operates 42 aircraft, including eight A320-200s, six A320-200Ns, four A321-200s, nine A321-200NX, five A321-200NX(LR)s, and ten B787-9s. A further two B787s are still to be delivered. It also has firm order for six A320-200Ns and three A321-200NX(LR)s directly from Airbus. BOC Aviation, in turn, owns a portfolio of 441 aircraft.
Gulf Air did not immediately respond to queries from ch-aviation for more details.
The airline had previously said it planned to complete the renewal of its narrowbody fleet by 2026 in which it would have retired all of its A320-200s and A321-200s. It subsequently revised those plans, having extended the deadline during the pandemic.
The loss-making state-owned carrier is under pressure from the government of Bahrain to turn its operations around. The government said in January 2025 it will consider selling up to 49% of the airline once it returns to profitability.
