Gulf Air (GF, Bahrain International) and logistics giant DHL Express have agreed to explore joint commercial, technical, and cargo opportunities.

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the details of which were not disclosed, in Bahrain on January 24, 2022.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gulf Air's acting chief executive officer, Waleed Al-Alawi, said: “We are always keen to explore ways to enhance our commercial partnerships and to get involved in every related sector of the aviation industry. Logistics is an integral part of our day-to-day operations, and we are extremely impressed with the services provided by DHL. We look forward to embarking on mutually fruitful relations.”

For his part, DHL Express MENA Chief Executive Officer Nour Suliman said the agreement was well-timed as the aviation industry recovered and COVID-19 restrictions gradually eased.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Gulf Air's fleet comprises a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including eleven A320-200s, six A320-200Ns, six A321-200Ns, four A321-200NXs, and seven B787-9s.

Represented in 220 countries, DHL delivers around 1.6 billion parcels per year. Bahrain is currently home to DHL International Aviation Middle East (ES, Bahrain International) which covers DHL's transport requirements throughout the Gulf and abroad.

Bahrain is also home to two other cargo carriers with their own narrowbody freighter fleets: Texel Air (XLR, Bahrain International) and MENA Cargo Airlines (Bahrain International).