By Akram Medhat
The first aircraft of EgyptAir's new fleet, a Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner, arrived at Cairo International Airport, which celebrated its arrival with the traditional water salute as it joined the national carrier's fleet.
This model accommodates 309 seats, divided into 30 Super Diamond Full-flat Bed seats in business class and 279 seats in economy class equipped with all means of comfort and luxurious seating.
In this context, Lt. Gen. Younis Al-Masry, Minister of Civil Aviation, stressed that the arrival of the first aircraft of this model will change concepts of comfort, operational efficiency and the modernity of the aviation fleet in Egypt.
The new aircraft was received this morning at Cairo Airport by Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company; Captain Sherif Ezzat and Ehab Ghazy, assistants to the holding company's chairman; Captain Ashraf El-Kholy, Chairman of EgyptAir Airlines; and Ayman Sabet, head of the holding company's Planning Sector.
Captain Ahmed Adel made a point of inspecting the new aircraft's capabilities and reviewing the features and services offered on board, which meet customers' requirements and needs during their journeys on the national carrier's route network.
Adel said the strategy to develop and modernize the company's fleet aims to add 33 new aircraft by the end of 2020, including 6 Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners, 12 Airbus A220-300 aircraft and 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft.
He added that 2019 is the year of change, as it will see the introduction of new aircraft and destinations, as well as a new uniform for the flight crew that matches the level of service development, stressing the drive to make EgyptAir one of the most prestigious airlines in the world.
For his part, Captain Ashraf El-Kholy, Chairman of EgyptAir Airlines, explained that the new aircraft will enter service from the beginning of next April, flying to some Arab cities such as Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, followed by the use of this model on EgyptAir flights operating on the new route to Washington next June, as well as on flights to Toronto in Canada and Frankfurt in Germany, noting that this model offers passengers another level of comfort and luxury thanks to its advanced features and technical specifications, which make travel an enjoyable and safe journey.
El-Kholy revealed that EgyptAir is scheduled to receive the second aircraft of this model in mid-April 2019.
