The first Airbus A350-900 aircraft arrived at Cairo International Airport today and was received by Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, and a number of leaders of the ministry, EgyptAir Holding Company and its subsidiaries, officially joining the EgyptAir fleet.
The flight was operated using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in a strategic step marking a new phase in the plan to modernize the fleet and strengthen its operational capabilities, supporting EgyptAir's position as a leading national carrier in the region. On board the flight were Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Captain Mohamed Elyan, Chairman of EgyptAir Airlines.
EgyptAir is the first airline in North Africa to operate this advanced type, as this aircraft is part of a deal with Airbus to add 16 A350-900 aircraft.
These aircraft are expected to play a pivotal role in expanding EgyptAir's route network, as they are able to fly long distances with high efficiency, enabling non-stop direct flights to long-haul destinations, including cities in the United States such as Los Angeles, as well as a number of destinations in East Asia, strengthening the company's competitiveness and increasing its presence in international markets.
This deal reflects EgyptAir's move towards relying on new-generation, environmentally friendly aircraft that help reduce carbon emissions and noise levels, in line with global trends in the aviation industry and environmental sustainability, as well as the Egyptian state's vision of shifting towards more efficient and sustainable air transport systems, supporting emission reduction efforts and strengthening the green economy.
In this context, Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, stated that the new aircraft joining the EgyptAir fleet represents a qualitative shift in the journey of modernizing the fleet and strengthening its ability to provide distinguished services to passengers, adding that this comes within the state's plan to develop the civil aviation sector and support Egypt's position as a leading regional hub for air transport.
On the sidelines of receiving the aircraft in France, a special ceremony was held at the Airbus plant in the French city of Toulouse, attended by Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus International, along with a number of Airbus officials and success partners from Panasonic and Rolls-Royce, to celebrate the first A350-900 joining the EgyptAir fleet.
EgyptAir became the first carrier in Africa to choose Panasonic Avionics' advanced "Astrova" system to equip its new Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The system offers an exceptional entertainment experience via 4K OLED screens, with Bluetooth audio technology and fast charging of up to 100 watts via USB-C ports, in addition to equipping the fleet with high-speed internet connectivity covering all flights, reflecting the company's keenness to adopt the latest technological solutions to enhance passenger comfort and develop their onboard experience.
The new Airbus A350-900 features the following:
A modern two-class interior design, with 30 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats.
The advanced Airspace cabin, which provides higher levels of comfort and quiet for passengers and cabin crew, enhancing the travel experience on long-haul flights.
It is one of the newest and most efficient aircraft in the world, relying on the latest aerodynamic technologies and new-generation Rolls-Royce engines, achieving savings of up to 25% in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with previous aircraft.
Modern entertainment systems and advanced levels of passenger comfort.
For his part, Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, said that the A350-900 joining the EgyptAir fleet is an important and vital step within the fleet modernization plan, given these aircraft's high operational fuel efficiency, extended range and advanced capabilities for optimal use of the long-haul network, helping increase seat capacity on high-demand routes and open new markets.
Adel added that relying on this advanced generation of aircraft enhances the flexibility of the company's network and operational planning, in addition to being fully in line with environmental sustainability trends through the ability to operate on a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), supporting EgyptAir's strategy of shifting towards more efficient and sustainable operations in the medium and long term.
