Egyptair orders seven A330-200s from Airbus

Egyptair has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of seven A330-200s, with deliveries for the aircraft scheduled to begin in June 2004.

The Egyptian flag carrier plans to operate the A330-200 on routes mainly within the Middle East and to Europe. In Egyptair's layout the aircraft will seat around 275 passengers in a highly comfortable configuration.

Airbus' unique cross-fleet operational commonality was a decisive factor in the airline's decision in favour of the A330-200 said Egyptair Chairman General Atef Abd El Hamid. "Our crews are already familiar with the benefits of Airbus fly-by-wire technology, which allows a remarkable mobility between our Airbus aircraft types. We have found that this is a source of considerable savings in training and operations through Cross Crew Qualification between our A320/A321 single-aisles and our widebody A340s, which the A330-200 will further reinforce."

Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, said that this renewed mark of confidence in Airbus aircraft from its earliest customer in the Arab-speaking world was a source of great pride. "The close partnership we have had with Egyptair for well over twenty years is very special to us and we look forward to developing it further with the selection of the A330."

Egyptair is one of Airbus largest customers in the Middle East, today operating seven A320s, four A321s, three A340-200s, two A300B4 freighters and seven A300-600 aircraft. Egyptair also has five A320s on order, to be delivered in the coming months.