As a result of operating at between only 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels according to Bahrain’s state carrier, Gulf Air has agreed with both Boeing and Airbus to postpone the delivery of currently ordered jets for between six and nine months. While no specific models were mentioned, Gulf Air had previously indicated it was in negotiations with the two planemakers over delaying delivery of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320neo jets.
Back in April, acting CEO Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi commented that: “We had to go renegotiate the delivery dates. We haven’t cancelled anything.” Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani, a government minister, also confirmed that no orders had been cancelled, while also telling reporters at the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai: “It is very difficult because you are bound by your destinations. We have the fleet. We have the crew. We would like to fly to as many as places as we can, but we have to factor in demand.”
Zayani also confirmed that Gulf Air would still take delivery of six jets this year, twice the number that were delivered last year. Asked if Gulf Air was receiving “government support,” he replied: “Who isn’t?” According to a government bond prospectus seen by Reuters news agency, the carrier received 36 million dinars (US$95.6 million) from the Bahrain government last year.