The way I read the article, Gulf Air is simply sending signals to the aircraft manufacturers that they want them to sharpen their pencils to present their best T's & C's. This is not unusual in aircraft purchase competitions. These are intense and high-risk processes for both parties and it is prudent for GF to try to squeeze the best deal it can from the manufacturers.
DesertHawk, Gulf Air is not examining the CRJ but rather the Bombardier C-series, which IMHO may be a better fit for GF but, of course, everything depends on the bids that GF is able to get. This is the airplane which Qatar Airways has also placed an order for.
Aerospace > Products > Commercial Aircraft > CSeries
Who knows, given the A318s commercial failure, uh, I mean success, Airbus may be willing to practically give them away for nothing and then that may be the airplane we end up with.
I understand that
everybody has their interests here. In any case, the final decision should be interesting.