Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has signed an agreement with Thales to equip the airline’s new, incoming 12 Airbus A320Neo and 17 A321Neo aircraft with a cockpit package of Thales avionics solutions including the TopFlight and Flight Management System (FMS).
With 70% market share on the Airbus A320Neo and A330Neo families, TopFlight FMS remains the most successful flight management system in the world. Customers appreciate its specific features notably “what you see is what you fly” technology and temporary flight plan capability. TopFlight FMS provides pilots with highly reliable navigational information, displayed in a simple manner especially suited to heavy air traffic conditions.
Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi said: “We are selecting the best systems to support our incoming fleet - ensuring the best capabilities for our operations and, ultimately, the best possible passenger experience.”
Eric Huber, Thales VP and general manager of avionics services worldwide said: “Our avionics products benefits have been repeatedly acknowledged as providing an operational edge for pilots through better trajectory management, as numerous selections in 2017 confirm it. This new selection by Gulf Air reinforces our leadership position in the Middle-East aviation market, underlining the performance and competitiveness of our products and the excellence of the support”.
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 42 cities in 25 countries spanning three continents.
The airline operates double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air currently serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft with orders for 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft due for delivery commencing in early 2018. The modern fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline’s signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.
Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s on-going economic growth.
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.
