Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has chosen Michelin to equip its entire aircraft fleet including the brand-new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s, Airbus 320neo’s and Airbus 321neo’s.
Gulf Air has already experienced Michelin tyres on its Airbus fleet for the past decade. The island country in the Persian Gulf is revamping entire fleet as part of 5 year-long strategy unveiled in 2018.
The commissioning of new fleet offers an opportunity to introduce the “Michelin Air X” tyre featuring French tyre maker’s patented Near Zero Growth technology (NSG).
NZG technology is designed to ensure minimal tyre growth. Aircraft tyres have high inflation pressures (20 bar) to carry the high aircraft weights. At the high take-off and landing speeds an aircraft tyre can ‘grow’ due to the high centrifugal forces but NZG minimizes tyre diameter growth and consequently tyres become more durable and resistant to damage from foreign objects.
The combination of Michelin Air X tyres and NZG technology eases operational cost compared to standard radial tyre despite surge in number of landings (up to 30% more) besides, improved fuel efficiency. NZG technology also increases tyre robustness and reduces fuel consumption, leading to lower CO2 emissions.
Gulf Air has already started operating the new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s and Airbus 320neo’s fitted with Michelin tyres, and will apply them on their Airbus 321neo, scheduled to join its fleet in early 2020.
