Gulf Air orders 19 Airbus aircraft

Gulf Air has ordered 19 new Airbus A320neo-family aircraft a day after upgrading a 16-aircraft Boeing order, as it pushed ahead with plans to renew its fleet. The loss-making carrier placed an order for 17 Airbus A321neo and 2 A320neo aircraft, building on an existing order for 10 A320neos, worth a combined US$3.4b. It also converted a previous 16 787-8 order from Boeing to 787-9s. Gulf Air said it anticipates delivery to start from Q2 of 2018. Gulf Air's orders are likely to be the only significant commercial announcement at the Bahrain Airshow. To purchase the aircraft, Gulf Air plans an equal split between financing and lease-buy-back structures. "We're looking at all financing options in the market to keep a healthy balance sheet," Gulf Air CFO Sahar Ataei said. The company is also looking to conclude contract details with Bombardier for its 110-seat CS100 aircraft, CE Maher al-Musallam said. <br/>