Gulf Air orders Airbus jets worth $5 billion
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Gulf Air orders Airbus jets worth $5 billion
GF with deep pockets again?Gulf Air orders Airbus jets worth $5 bln
12 hours ago
FRANKFURT (AFP) — Bahrain's Gulf Air has ordered 35 Airbus medium- and long-haul aircraft in a deal worth five billion dollars (3.2 billion euros), it was announced here Wednesday.
The order for 15 Airbus A320s and 20 Airbus A330s is worth "five billion dollars at catalogue prices," Airbus commercial director John Leahy said at the Berlin Air Show.
Leahy acknowledged that major contracts often included negotiated discounts and the final value of aerospace deals is often a closely guarded secret.
The outcome can vary widely depending on the economic situation, the number of aircraft sold and whether or not the client has bought planes from the same manufacturer in the past.
Wednesday's deal was signed by Gulf Air boss Bjoern Naef, a Swiss national, and Airbus head Thomas Enders, a German.
"The A320 will serve Gulf Air's regional destinations while the A330 will operate on the airline's European route and enhance its Far Eastern services," Naef said.
His company planned to focus on Middle Eastern service, Naef added, much as the airline Swiss has in Europe.
"There will be enough cake for everybody. Of course, there's competition but it's the same in Europe, for European airlines. We want to be a niche product," he said.
Gulf air traffic has grown by leaps and bounds and seen the emergence of several carriers that need to expand their fleets like Emirates in Dubai or its neighbour Qatar Airways, both of which are good Airbus clients.
The airlines have expanded rapidly as governments in the region work to diversify their economies from oil and gas into air transport and tourism.
Naef said it remained open whether Gulf Air would buy the future Airbus A350 jet now under development.
The company's order on Wednesday followed one in January for 16 Boeing 787 passenger jets worth around six billion dollars, along with an option for eight others.
The 787 and A350 are rivals designed to fly longer routes using less fuel.
Gulf Air plans to increase its fleet to 45 planes by 2013 from 25 at present.
The carrier became the sole property of Bahrain last May after Oman pulled out.
Former partners Abu Dhabi and Qatar withdrew from the airline's ownership in 2005 and 2002, respectively, to focus on their own carriers.
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Not sure that GF as an airline itself has deep pockets, but it seems like now that it is 100% owned by the Bahraini Government, like any parent, they want to ensure the best for their "baby."
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Well good for GF!
I hope they are able to come back into the game of the middle east's leading airlines, they have a great past, and i would like to see them with a future!
I am sure the GF flight crew are happy about this info, they seem to have been tired of flying corroded metal and waiting forever for a command!
I hope they are able to come back into the game of the middle east's leading airlines, they have a great past, and i would like to see them with a future!
I am sure the GF flight crew are happy about this info, they seem to have been tired of flying corroded metal and waiting forever for a command!
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I believe GF owed over a Billion dinars to is creditors in Hogans time...so a liquidation and a new start up is possibly an accountants way forward.
Is there any new start up presently starting or planned in Bahrain?
Is there any new start up presently starting or planned in Bahrain?
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Is there any new start up presently starting or planned in Bahrain?
I believe GF owed over a Billion dinars to is creditors in Hogans time
so a liquidation and a new start up is possibly an accountants way forward.
So if BA had financial trouble again, would it make sense to re-name it Air Britain and start with a clean slate....?
Chao
Last edited by Che Guevara; 29th May 2008 at 20:07.
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All sorts of rumours on delivery dates etc., three to four aircraft a year being one of them...however with the present state of the industry in the US and Europe etc., I'm sure dates can be brought forward quite easily...time will tell.
One does wonder how long some of the present fleet will last though...
Chao
One does wonder how long some of the present fleet will last though...
Chao
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In regards to the QR ones, I think they said they were going to create a leasing company and the first airplanes they will put in it and lease out are the -600s.
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I know the name is spelt Naef but it is pronounced Naff in Ze Englishe language and means 'lacking in taste or style'....and something else quite devious...look it up.
Oh, nearly forgot...Mow, you better get over to Lufthansa and Virgin and warn them about the -600's before it is too late for them
, eminent bankruptcy and all that...you are right though, they do apparently like fuel.
Chao
Oh, nearly forgot...Mow, you better get over to Lufthansa and Virgin and warn them about the -600's before it is too late for them
, eminent bankruptcy and all that...you are right though, they do apparently like fuel.Chao
