The third Dreamliner aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, has arrived at Cairo International Airport for EgyptAir on Saturday morning.
EgyptAir contracted Boeing to buy a total of six aircraft of the same model, all arriving in June and July, as part of the company’s fleet modernization plan.
Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, Ahmed Adel announced Saturday that the new model of the Dreamliner will be operated on Paris flights starting from June 18.
He said that this adds to EgyptAir’s competitive advantage in operating this line, as this Dreamliner model has the technology, comfort and luxury to make the journey more enjoyable for passengers.
This third Dreamliner aircraft comes as part of the largest deal in EgyptAir’s history, dubbed the “Deal of the Century” by aviation experts as it includes the purchase of 45 new aircraft from the latest worldwide models worth US$6 billion, such as six Boeing Dreamliner 787-9.
EgyptAir’s has now received three aircraft, which comes in preparation to join the company’s fleet to work on long lines such as Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Bangkok and Frankfurt.
The Dreamliner is capable of traveling between 14,800 to 15,700 km non-stop and has 20 percent less fuel consumption than its counterparts in commercial aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliners are powered by Rolls Royce engines to fly over long distances. Its capacity ranges between 210 to 330 passengers.
EgyptAir announced earlier that from July 2019 to May 2020, it would receive 12 Airbus 220/300 aircraft, which were produced by Bombardier of Canada before being acquired by Airbus.
In January 2020, the company will start receiving 15 Airbus A320, the latest and most advanced Airbus A320 to date, and another 12 Airbus 220/300 aircraft.
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.
EgyptAir’s network extends to more than 70 destinations in nearly 60 countries around the world to meet the needs of all customers, and it joined the Star Alliance in July 2008, and became the 21st member of the alliance which currently includes 27 airlines from the largest companies around the world.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
