Boeing has announced that Egypt will receive the first two new Dreamliner planes (model B787-900) as part of a deal signed last year for the purchase of six aircrafts of this type in addition to 48 aircrafts of different models, worth US$6 billion, to upgrade EgyptAir’s fleet as it plans to launch new flights from Cairo to a number of capitals in Africa, Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.
EgyptAir sources said that the company would receive the first Boeing B787-900 at the beginning of the second week of March, and will receive the second plane two weeks later.
Four more Dreamliners will be delivered during this year and early next year, bringing the total number of Dreamliners scheduled to join the fleet to six aircrafts.
EgyptAir announced earlier that from July 2019 to May 2020, it would receive 12 Airbus 220/300 aircrafts, which were produced by Bombardier of Canada before being acquired by Airbus.
In January 2020, the company will start receiving 15 Airbus A320neos, the latest and most advanced Airbus A320 to date, and another 12 Airbus 220/300 aircrafts.
This deal will update 50 percent of the size of the fleet, the company said, adding that the second phase of fleet upgrades will be from 2019 to 2027.
Sources said that Civil Aviation Minister Younis al-Masry instructed keenness to receive the new aircrafts on time, as EgyptAir plans to run new flights to African, South Asian, and South American countries.
The Dreamliner is a civil passenger two-engine medium-sized jet airliner. Its capacity ranges between 210 to 330 passengers and is one of the most efficient aircrafts in fuel consumption.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
