This makes EGYPTAIR the first African airline to operate an Airbus A321neo. With a seating capacity of 182, the plane boasts a comfortable two-class configuration comprising 16 Business and 166 Economy class seats. It is leased from Iris lessor AerCap and features state-of-the-art CFM engines.
This addition to the EGYPTAIR fleet is set to enhance the airline's single-aisle capacity and bolster connectivity between key destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
The A321neo offers a remarkable 20% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per seat compared to previous-generation narrowbody aircraft. Egypt's flag carrier says that this exceptional efficiency will allow EGYPTAIR to operate with reduced costs while maintaining a solid commitment to sustainability.
EGYPTAIR has added the A321neo to its Airbus fleet, which includes 12 A220s, 8 A320neos, 2 A320ceos, 4 A330-200s, and 4 A330-300s. The acquisition of this modern aircraft is a clear indication of the airline's ongoing commitment to expanding its Airbus fleet to keep pace with current and future demand.
The delivery flight from Hamburg to Cairo ran on a 34 percent blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF is a sustainable fuel generated from used fat, oil, and grease, as well as municipal and forestry waste. Compared to fossil jet fuel, SAF has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent over its entire lifecycle. This makes it an important tool in decreasing the carbon footprint of aviation.
Airbus has made significant progress in its ambition to fly commercial aircraft with a 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend. As of March 2021, the company had conducted successful tests using the fuel on its A319neo, A350, and A380 models, and all its commercial aircraft are now able to fly using a 50 percent SAF mix with kerosene. Airbus hopes to achieve full SAF capability by the end of the decade.
