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Gulf Air's $6 billion (BD2.27bn) deal with Boeing is designed to turn the airline into a world-beater, it declared this week.
"We are back in business," was the message after Gulf Air board chairman Mahmood Al Kooheji signed the deal with Boeing senior vice-president Marty Bentrott.
"We are committed to Gulf Air's future and success," he told a Press conference at the airline's headquarters in Muharraq.
"The agreement is to purchase up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal valued at nearly $6 billion at list price. The deal includes a firm order for 16 B-787 Dreamliners and an option to purchase eight more.
"The first 787 deliveries will be made in 2016. By 2019, the B-787s will make up Gulf Air's entire wide-body assets."
Mr Al Kooheji said it was hard to ignore the enhanced operational factors and improved efficiencies of the B-787, which was first launched by the American manufacturer in 2004.
Gulf Air's acting president and chief executive Bjorn Naf described the deal as an important milestone in the history of Bahrain's national carrier. "The plan is to replace the current fleet of 35 aircraft with modern state-of-the art airplanes," he said.
The aim is to build up a fleet of 45 to 50 aircraft by 2013, Mr Naf added.
Mr Al Kooheji also revealed that Gulf Air was holding talks with European manufacturer Airbus to buy eight narrow body A320s.
The latest deal is likely to create up to 500 jobs for Bahrainis.
