ABU DHABI September 9, 2002 In a special ceremony here today, Gulf Air and CFM International commemorated the 10th anniversary of the introduction of CFM56 engines into the airline's fleet.
Gulf Air took delivery of its first CFM56-5A-powered Airbus A320 in 1992 and today operates 10 aircraft on its routes throughout the Middle East. In 1994, the airline introduced the long-range, four-engine Airbus A340-300 powered by the CFM56-5C engine. The five A340s currently in service are operated on routes to Europe, Africa, and the Asia Pacific Region and Australia. Overall, this fleet has achieved 1.2 million flight hours and 600,000 flight cycles.
CFM56-5 engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and the General Electric Company. With more than 13,000 engines in service, CFM is the world's leading aircraft engine supplier.
"We are very happy to share this milestone with Gulf Air," said Pierre Fabre, president and CEO of CFM International. "And the entire CFM Team extends its warmest congratulations on this achievement. It is highly gratifying when an airline of this stature makes your products such an essential part of its operations. We have developed a marvelous relationship with Gulf Air over the past decade and believe that the years ahead will only strengthen that bond."
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Abu Dhabi (UAE) is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious airlines. In its 50+ year history, it has grown from a small-scale commuter service provider to a major international airline.
As part of the celebration, CFM also presented the airline with an award for becoming the CFM56-5C fleet leader in terms of engine cycles.