Story ID: 384
A350 To Spearhead Egyptair Fleet Expansion
By: David Donald
Caption: The North African carrier has ordered 10 of the A350-900 widebodies
Word Count: 312
Egyptair signed a deal with Airbus at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday to buy 10 A350-900s for delivery between 2025 and 2027. It inked the order for the widebody airliners during a ceremony attended by Egyptair chairman and CEO Yehia Zakaria and Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer. 
"Egyptair is a key partner of Airbus in the Middle East and Africa,” said Zakaria. “We take immense pride in this partnership aimed at furthering the aviation industry. Our focus lies in the enhancement of our fleet to embrace some of the most contemporary aircraft available.” 
The North African carrier has proved a good customer for Airbus since it acquired the first A300s more than four decades ago. Funded from internal sources, the carrier’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered A350s will operate in a 340-seat configuration and serve to drive a fleet and network expansion rather than replace any current type. The airline expects to use the airplane to serve Los Angeles from Cairo, for example.
A four-year expansion plan is in place for Egyptair, explained Zakaria, who added that the airline expects the fleet to grow to 125 aircraft by 2028, likely with further A350s. It now uses about 80 aircraft, split between Airbus and Boeing types. The single-aisle fleet includes both A220-200s and A320/321neos.
As part of its plans, Egyptair will convert two of its Airbus A330 airliners to a cargo configuration by 2025 to expand its freight operations, adding to its existing three A330Fs.
“Once delivered the A350-900 will be Egyptair’s flagship aircraft," Scherer commented. "Adding the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft to the airline’s fleet will be instrumental in expanding its offering, opening new opportunities, particularly in the Western U.S. and the Far East.”