Gulf Air would operate E170 jets

[MayerFM]

Info from the Bahrain International Airshow:

Embraer and Gulf Air signed a preliminary agreement on January 21st, by which 2 E170 jets would be operated by Gulf Air through an operating lease.

Aircraft would be delivered in the first quarter of 2010 and would be configured in a dual-class layout, with 7 seats in business class and 60 in economy.

Full report:

EMBRAER SIGNS PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT WITH GULF

And a photo from Skyliner Aviation:

E170 PT-TQE in Gulf Air colours at Bahrain

This particular aircraft was to be delivered to Nigeria Eagle (former Virgin Nigeria) so we can assume it was not taken up.

Best regards.

[PR-PLV]

It seems thta Gulf Air will operate two more E-Jets, two 190!

source: http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/article.php?section=air-transport&article=gulf-air-to-take-embraer-190s-for-evaluation

Gulf Air to take Embraer 190s for evaluation

Gulf Air is to take two additional Embraer regional jets as part of its fleet re-evaluation strategy.

The Bahraini airline is taking delivery of two of the 90-seat E190 jets to complement the pair of  E170 jets it has been operating since February.

The carrier has withdrawn 10 aircraft from its fleet following the strategic review last year. These include several Airbus A340s, and is testing smaller aircraft in order to increase frequencies and reduce the risks associated with new destinations.

It has introduced eight A320s and has started using a pair of Embraer 170s. CEO Samer Majali speaking at the IATA annual general meeting in Berlin, said the carrier was in the final stages of evaluating the financial and operational performance of the regional type.

[viasa]

Here is the first picture of a Gulf Air E190: http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6888241&nseq=71