CFM56-5B Tech Insertion Engines to Power New Fleet
Gulf Air Signs 10-Year OnPoint Solutions Agreement

The Kingdom of Bahrain's flag carrier, Gulf Air, has signed a 10-year OnPoint* solutions agreement with GE Aviation for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul to support its recent purchase of CFM56-5B engines. These CFM International engines will power 15 new Airbus A320* family aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery to Gulf Air between late 2009 and 2013.

Gulf Air operates scheduled services to more than 40 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Far East from its base at Bahrain International Airport. Regarding the recent agreements, Talal Al-Zain, chairman of Gulf Air, says, "Our partnership with GE started over 20 years ago and reflects our cooperation and GE's commitment to providing Gulf Air with the highest quality engine performance and reliability available.

"Selecting the CFM56-5B engine demonstrates our continued trust and confidence in this product's excellent technical capability. It also demonstrates our long-standing relationship with CFM*, who has powered our existing A320 and A340* fleet with superior reliability."

Tech Insertion Benefits
All of Gulf Air's CFM56-5B engines are of the Tech Insertion configuration, first introduced in fall 2007. Compared to the base CFM56-5B engine, this new design provides operators with a 1% improvement in fuel consumption, longer time on wing and lower maintenance costs of between 5% and 12% over the life of the product.

"GE Aviation is very pleased Gulf Air has selected our company to maintain and overhaul its CFM56-5B engine fleet," says Muhammad Al-Lamadani, GE's senior executive, regional sales. "The high reliability and low operating costs of the CFM56-5B-powered A320s will help support Gulf Air's long-term profitability, and the fleet will also benefit from our world-class customer and product support organization."

GE's OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet. These agreements are designed to help lower customers' cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets. Backed by GE's global support network, OnPoint services may include overhaul, on-wing support, new and used-serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, diagnostics and integrated systems support.