Gulf Air, the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, took delivery of its first A320neo today. The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, made its maiden journey from Toulouse to Bahrain, landing at the Bahrain International Airport at 16:00 local time.

The aircraft is the first of the 29 A320neo Family aircraft ordered during the 2016 Bahrain International Airshow. This delivery also makes Gulf Air the first Middle Eastern national carrier to fly the A320neo.

Gulf Air currently operates 28 Airbus aircraft. The new addition complements the airline’s existing fleet and thanks to Airbus’ overall fleet commonality, the airline will benefit from low operating costs, optimum fuel efficiency and seamless, best-in-class passenger comfort of any single aisle aircraft.

Airbus release