State-owned carrier Egypt Air is planning to add a further 60 aircraft and evaluate various Boeing and Airbus jets as part of its aim to revamp its ageing fleet.
Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Abdel Aziz Fadel told Bloomberg that the Cairo-based carrier plans to have a fleet of 125 aircraft in operation by 2022, compared with the current 81, adding 17 aircraft to replace models that are more than 15-years-old and another 44 to meet its growth needs.
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The airline, which incurred a loss of EGP7bn ($1.02bn) since January 2011, should revamp its fleet to add long-distance routes as well as to exploit Egyptian capital’s geographical position, the minister said.
"Cairo sits between three continents, it has a special location," Fadel said.
"We’re developing Cairo as a hub and Egypt Air is developing better connectivity."
Among the aircraft the carrier will evaluate to revamp its ageing fleet are Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 777, along with Airbus’ A350 and A380 double-decker.
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By GlobalDataThe carrier is expected to lease aircraft, which may also comprise existing or re-engined versions of A320 or 737-800 for short-distance flights, along with Embraer E-195 and Bombardier C-series models in evaluation.
Egypt Air’s recent plan comprises offloading old Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-500 aircraft, along with four-engine A340 wide-body jets and few 777 aircraft, replacing them with other aircraft in 150 and 300 seat categories.
"We are trying to sell the old planes, then we will be ready to acquire the new ones," Fadel told Bloomberg.
Image: Egypt Air’s recent plan comprises offloading old Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-500 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Red ahlawy.
