Boeing Sells Eight More 787s to Gulf Air

Bahrain’s Gulf Air has lifted Boeing’s order figures out of negative territory this week with a conversion of so-called purchase rights on eight 787-8s, marking the first sale this year for the soon-to-fly Dreamliner. The deal raises the number of 787s held on firm order by Gulf Air to 24, which, at list prices, would cost $3.9 billion.

The contract also raises Boeing’s net order total out of red figures for the first time this year, to four airplanes. It has so far suffered order cancellations covering 32 Dreamliners this year, while gross orders for 24 B737s and four 777s account for the rest of the company’s sales activity.