National carrier of Bahrain, Gulf Air has placed a firm order with Airbus for 35 aircraft. The order comprises 15 A320 single aisle aircraft and 20 A330-300s. The contract was signed by Björn Näf, Gulf Air CEO, and Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, at the Berlin Air show.

Gulf Air already operates 10 A320s, six A330-200s and nine A340-300s. The new order will more than double the number of Airbus aircraft in their fleet.

The A320 will serve Gulf Air’s regional destinations, while the A330 will operate on the airline’s European routes and enhance its Far Eastern services.

Gulf Air launched services in 1950 and is one of the Middle East’s major international carriers serving over 40 destinations worldwide.

Over 6,100 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and over 3,400 delivered to more than 275 customers and operators worldwide, making it the worlds best selling commercial jetliner ever.

EADS Press Release Toulouse, 28 May 2008