EgyptAir takes delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A321neo

EgyptAir took delivery of its first A321neo from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg, making the airline the first African operator of the aircraft.

The A321neo is the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ single-aisle A320 family and brings a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per seat compared with previous generation competing aircraft.

The aircraft is on lease from AerCap and is powered by CFM engines.

The airlines has specified a two-class configuration with 16 Business class seats and 166 Economy class seats, and will increase its single aisle capacity to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

EGYPTAIR welcomes the newest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo to its fleet. pic.twitter.com/oLEwoufrcn

— EGYPTAIR (@EGYPTAIR) February 23, 2023

EgyptAir’s Airbus fleet

The aircraft joins EgyptAir’s Airbus fleet of 12 A220s, 8 A320neos, 2 A320ceos 4 A330-200, 4 A330-300.

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.

Welcoming our first A321 neo pic.twitter.com/3OAsy0DGqk

— EGYPTAIR (@EGYPTAIR) February 25, 2023

The delivery flight from Hamburg to Cairo was powered by 34 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent SAF blend mixed with kerosene and are targeted to be capable for 100 per cent SAF use in flight by the end of this decade.

Since March 2021, Airbus has successfully accomplished 100 per cent SAF test flights on A319neo, A350 and A380 aircraft.

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