Gulf Air signs letter of intent for JetZero Z4 blended‑wing aircraft

State‑owned Gulf Air of Bahrain has signed a letter of intent with JetZero to acquire an unspecified number of Z4 blended‑wing body aircraft, becoming the first airline outside the United States to commit to the program. The agreement, signed at the Farnborough Airshow on 21 July, gives Gulf Air preferential delivery positions for aircraft expected to enter service in the early 2030s after certification.

The Z4 is designed for the mid‑market segment, seating about 250 passengers with a range of roughly 5,000 nautical miles. JetZero claims the aerodynamic design can cut fuel consumption by up to 50 % compared with conventional tube‑and‑wing jets. Gulf Air CEO Martin Gauss highlighted the aircraft’s potential to lower cost per seat‑mile and expand the airline’s network across Europe and Asia. JetZero’s co‑founder Tom O’Leary said the partnership supports Gulf Air’s growth as a key connector.

JetZero has also secured letters of intent from United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and Japan Airlines has expressed interest. The company began construction of an 8‑million‑square‑foot production plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the first units slated for flight testing before commercial entry.