The Egyptian national flag carrier EGYPTAIR has taken delivery of its first A321neo from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg. This makes the airline the first African operator of the aircraft.
EGYPTAIR has specified a high comfort, two-class configuration with 16 Business class seats and 166 Economy class seats.
The induction of the new A321neo will increase the airline’s single aisle capacity to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The aircraft is on lease from AerCap and is powered by CFM engines.
The A321neo is the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family and brings a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per seat compared with previous generation competing aircraft.
This enables EGYPTAIR to benefit from enhanced efficiency and be able to deliver on its commitment to sustainability, whilst reducing operating costs.
Current Airbus fleet
This modern aircraft joins EGYPTAIR’s Airbus fleet of 12 A220s, 8 A320neos, 2 A320ceos 4 A330-200, 4 A330-300.
With the addition of the A321neo, EGYPTAIR is demonstrating continuous ambitions to expand its Airbus fleet to meet current and future demand.
Across all its aircraft families, Airbus’ unique approach ensures that aircraft share the highest commonality in airframes, on-board systems, cockpits and handling characteristics.
This significantly reduces operating costs and maximises the airline’s profitability.
SAF operations
The delivery flight from Hamburg to Cairo was powered by 34 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. SAF is a sustainably-produced aviation fuel made from feedstocks ranging from used fat, oil and grease to municipal and forestry waste.
Compared to fossil jet fuel, SAF has been demonstrated to result in an up to 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions across the entire SAF lifecycle. Therefore, it is considered as a key enabler to contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation.
Currently, all Airbus commercial aircraft are capable of flying with an up to 50 percent SAF blend mixed with kerosene and are targeted to be capable for 100 percent SAF use in flight by the end of this decade.
Since March 2021, Airbus has successfully accomplished 100 percent SAF test flights on A319neo, A350 and A380 aircraft.
About EGYPTAIR
EgyptAir is the national flag carrier of Egypt and is headquartered in Cairo. It was founded in 1932 and is one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East.
EgyptAir operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 70 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It is a member of the Star Alliance, which is one of the largest airline alliances in the world.
The airline has a fleet of more than 60 aircraft, including Airbus A320 family, Airbus A330, Boeing 737, Boeing 777, and Embraer E170 aircraft. EgyptAir also has codeshare agreements with several airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines.
In recent years, EgyptAir has undergone a significant modernization program to improve its fleet, services, and customer experience.
The most recent acquisition of an Airbus A320neo forms part of the airline’s overall modernisation plan. Overall, EgyptAir is a reputable airline with a long history and a strong presence in the Middle East and beyond.
