EGYPTAIR has received its first Airbus A330-300 aircraft from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. Powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, the aircraft seats 301 passengers with 265 in Economy Class, and 36 in Business Class.

Joining EGYPTAIR’s existing Airbus fleet of 17 A320 family aircraft, seven A330-200s and three A340-200s, the new A330-300 will be the first EGYPTAIR aircraft to feature onboard communications technology, enabling passengers to benefit from in flight mobile phone services and WI-FI internet access.

“This delivery is an important milestone in the history of EGYPTAIR .We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve this premium and highly competitive product” said Eng. Hussein Massoud, Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Holding Company. He added “we are determined on the ambitious plan for fleet expansion and modernisation.”

Captain Alaa Ashour, the Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Airlines, who flew the new aircraft himself to Cairo said “the delivery of the first Airbus A330-300 will add value to our customers and launches new services for the first time in EGYPTAIR.”

“We are proud to be partnering with EGYPTAIR as they launch their new onboard communications offering on the A330,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Passengers can now use these innovative services from the unparalleled comfort of the A330 cabin whilst the airline will benefit from the excellent reliability and economics offered by the aircraft.”

Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.

In the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), Airbus has sold around 1000 aircraft and has a backlog of over 500. More than 500 Airbus aircraft are flying with 48 MENA operators, representing around 40% percent of the fleet in service in the region.

The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 firm orders for the various versions of the aircraft. Over 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 operators worldwide.

Airbus press release 30 August 2010

Boeing Delivers EGYPTAIR's First 777-300ER for Long-Haul Fleet Upgrade

EGYPTAIR and leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) took delivery Monday of the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) commercial jetliner to join EGYPTAIR's fleet. EGYPTAIR operates a fleet of five Boeing 777-200ERs, five 737-500s and 12 737-800s, with another eight 737-800s on order directly from Boeing. The Egyptian flag carrier is leasing the new 777-300ER from GECAS and will take an additional five 777-300ERs on lease through the second quarter of 2011 to continue upgrading its long-haul service.



"This delivery is a substantial milestone in the history of EGYPTAIR. We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve the best of everything. This is a continuation of the long term partnership with Boeing," said Hussein Massoud, chairman of EGYPTAIR Holding Company.

"The 777-200ER has always been one of the strongest performers in our fleet for fuel efficiency and reliability. The 777-300ER's additional improvements in fuel efficiency and seat-mile costs will directly benefit our bottom line," said EGYPTAIR Airlines Chairman Capt. Alaa Ashour. "The 777-300ER is an important part of our fleet modernization and growth plans to achieve greater profitability."

EGYPTAIR's new 777-300ER has 346 seats including 49 lie-flat beds with a 78-inch seat pitch, plus an in-seat entertainment system throughout the cabin. A member of the Star Alliance, EGYPTAIR will operate 777-300ERs on routes to London, Tokyo and North America.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, March 9, 2010 10:47 PM EST/PRNewswire-FirstCall/