The chief executive, Samer Majali, has indicated that Gulf Air is mulling buying up to 10 Bombardier CSeries, Embraer E-Jets, or the Airbus A318. The airline has recently withdrawn from the long-haul market, due to stiff competition from the giants of the Middle East – Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
By operating regional aircraft, Majali hopes the airline will have a seamless transition to becoming an regional airline.
“We can use [regional jets] for opening new routes with the smallest possible risk and build up frequencies faster,” Majali said at the Arab Air Carriers Organisation event in Cairo last month.