Gulf Air enters into strategic fleet maintenance agreement with Singapore-based SIAEC

During a ceremony held today at the Gulf Air Muharraq Headquarters, Gulf Air Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Talal Al Zain, SIAEC Chairman Mr. Stephen Lee, SIAEC Chief Executive Officer Mr. William Tan, Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ismail Karimi and members of the Board of Directors and senior management from both companies applauded the agreement and underlined its importance in the long and proud history of Gulf Air.

Gulf Air Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Talal Al Zain said:

"As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air's strategy is aligned with the Kingdom's 'Vision 2030' and this announcement ie (FMP) contract s an important step in ensuring that we can continue to support that vision."

Al Zain added, "We have chosen SIAEC for their long-standing reputation in the aviation sector providing complete maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in line-maintenance, airframe, component, engine, aircraft conversions and modifications to major airlines from four continents."

"We believe they are the right choice to help us boost our operational reliability, manage costs and establish a self-sufficient and robust aircraft maintenance system," he concluded.

Under the terms of the three-year contract, provision has been made for SIAEC to work with Gulf Air to insource the MRO services provided by SIAEC.

"As one of the pioneers of the global aviation industry, Gulf Air has a long and cherished history and is moving forward with its plans to become a leading player in the regional and global aviation industry," said Gulf Air Deputy CEO Mr. Ismail Karimi.

Karimi stated, "The airline has ambitious plans to further strengthen its presence as well as expand regionally and globally."

"Gulf Air's technical reliability has tremendously improved in the recent past and is in line with industry benchmarks; however, we want it to take it even further by refocusing on our engineering and maintenance systems and processes so that we keep our fleet in top order to meet our current network demand and our future growth. In addition, under the terms of the agreement, SIAEC will provide training to local Gulf Air engineering staff with a long-term goal of strengthening our in-house technical / engineering capability," he concluded.

SIAEC, a well known global engineering company that provides extensive maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft to more than 85 international airlines worldwide, won the three-year deal in a global bid.

Under the contract, SIAEC will provide a wide range of FMP services for Gulf Air's Airbus fleet including 'A' and 'C' checks, fleet technical management, material management and engineering services, which will be performed in Bahrain and Singapore.

"We are delighted that Gulf Air, a highly progressive and fast-growing international airline in the Middle East, has selected SIA Engineering Company to be the engineering service provider of its Airbus fleet. With more than 25 years of experience in servicing a wide range of Airbus aircraft, including being the first in the world to maintain the A380, our customers are assured of high quality, on-time delivery for the Airbus aircraft entrusted to us," said Mr. Tan.

"The Middle East is poised to become an important springboard to Europe and Asia. SIAEC is honoured and privileged to partner Gulf Air in developing Bahrain into a vibrant aviation hub in the region," concluded Mr. Tan.

Gulf Air already has a heavy maintenance service contract with SIAEC since February 2008.