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Gulf Air CEO, Martin Gauss (left) and JetZero CEO and co-founder Tom O’Leary mark the airline’s commitment to the new-generation aircraft.
FARNBOROUGH—Gulf Air has signed to take new blended wingbody (BWB) aircraft from manufacturer JetZero, potentially from the early 2030s.
The Bahrain-based airline signed an LOI at the air show Tuesday for an undisclosed number of JetZero’s planned Z4 aircraft. Several carriers have said they intend to acquire the BWB, but only United Airlines has said how many it plans to take: 100 conditional firm plus 100 options.
JetZero said its new aircraft will produce 50% less fuel-burn and lower emissions. The company broke ground on a new manufacturing plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June.
The Z4 aims to fill the mid-market gap in the airliner market with a design that can accommodate 250 passengers and fly 5,000 nm, JetZero CEO and co-founder Tom O’Leary said. A longer-range version will accommodate 200 passengers. He described the announcement as “massive for both JetZero and Gulf Air.”
“We looked at JetZero and the timeline when the aircraft is available and it fits perfectly for the strategy of Gulf Air in the region,” Gulf Air CEO Martin Gauss said. “We’re looking for the next-generation aircraft to add to our [Boeing] 787 and [Airbus] A321 fleets. We believe becoming the launch customer in the Gulf region is the right choice.”
Gauss added that the innovative choice was a step in restoring Gulf Air to the position it once held in the region; in the 1970s, it was the first carrier to bring new levels of in-flight service and innovation, operating Lockheed L-1011s on long-haul services. In recent decades, however, the company has been overshadowed by newer, much larger competitors, like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia, with the new Riyadh Air also entering the marketplace.
Recognizing that it cannot compete on scale, in recent years Gulf Air has described itself as a ‘boutique carrier,’ offering a more personalized service.
Gulf Air will join an airline working group that is assisting JetZero in developing the Z4: “You don’t have many chances in your life to be part of a new aircraft’s development,” Gauss said. It was “very likely” that Gulf Air would be attending the next meeting of the Z4 airline development group in the US in November, where it would see the current mock-up of the Z4’s planned interiors.
Gulf Air will consider the ideal mix of seat classes and interiors “so we can tailor the aircraft to the needs of Gulf Air.”
JetZero aims to fly its Z1 full-scale demonstrator in the latter part of 2027.
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