For Gulf Air, the third Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) proved highly successful with the airline signing a number of agreements, with a combined value of more than $150 million, for aircraft maintenance and product enhancement thereby taking the carrier another step forward in its strategic direction.

"The BIAS is undeniably a significant and strategic industry event with considerable positive impact on both the kingdom and its national carrier," the airline's acting chief executive Maher Salman Al Musallam was quoted as saying in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"Importantly, we have been able, in our capacity as official carrier of the three-day event and national carrier, to encourage growth in Bahrain's tourism sector and promote it as an aviation industry hub with this significant business platform in the form of the Bahrain International Airshow."

On the inaugural day, Gulf Air signed a $100 million TotalCare five-year service extension agreement with Rolls-Royce extending Rolls-Royce TotalCare support for Gulf Air's fleet of six A330 aircraft powered by Trent 700 engines.

The agreement allows Gulf Air to maximise engine availability, essential towards meeting high fleet utilisation targets, while providing forward visibility of service costs, helping Gulf Air better manage costs and focus on passengers' needs - important as it transitions from a period of restructuring to one of development.

On the second day of the show, Gulf Air signed a three-year maintenance, repair and overhaul agreement with JorAMCo to meet the airline's heavy maintenance and 'C' check fleet requirements, offering lowered operational costs for the airline while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Gulf Air also unveiled its new A330 product, scheduled to be entirely retrofitted by the fourth quarter, and part of the airline's ongoing proactive re-fleeting and product enhancement strategy.-TradeArabia News Service