Gulf Air finalizes $1 billion CFM LEAP-1A engine order

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and CFM International have finalized the purchase agreement for 65 LEAP-1A engines to power the airline’s new fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The agreement, which includes engines for 17 A320neo and 12 A321neo, is valued at approximately $1 billion U.S. at list price.

The signing ceremony took place during the Bahrain Royal visit to Paris. The engine order was originally announced in November 2017.

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 airline plans to strengthen its footprint in the Middle-East with new routes using its LEAP-1A-powered A320neo family aircraft.

The LEAP engine entered commercial service in 2016 and is providing its more than 100 operators worldwide with a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency, with an equivalent reduction in CO₂ emissions; and lower noise and NOx emissions. To date, the fleet in service has logged more than 4 million engine flight hours.

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.