EgyptAir placed an order for 10 new Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft during the Dubai Airshow, its first for the model, as part of the airline's broader plans to expand its fleet and grow its long-haul network.
The North African airline will begin taking deliveries of the A350-900 jets starting in 2025 through to 2027, Yehia Zakaria, EgyptAir Holding's chairman and chief executive, said on Tuesday.
“I had a dream a few months ago when I received the first A320 Neo … I was dreaming that one day we will have the big birds behind me and now we made that dream come true,” Mr Zakaria said.
The National earlier reported that the airline was in talks with Airbus to secure A350s.
EgyptAir's current fleet includes a mix of Boeing and Airbus jets, including A320s and 737 narrow-bodies as well as older A330 and 777 wide-bodies.
The government-owned airline on Monday signed an agreement with Air Lease Corporation to lease 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, with deliveries coming between 2025 and 2026, skewing its single-aisle fleet towards the US plane maker.
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An Emirates plane accompanied by the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic team during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE craft flying in formation during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Italian Air Force during a display at the Dubai Air show at DWC in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Bader 250 craft during the flying display at the Dubai Air show. Pawan Singh / The National -
An F16-60 during a display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Day one of the Dubai Airshow at Al Maktoum Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Embraer stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The SANAD stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Exhibits on show on day one. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The space agency stand at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Military aircraft on show. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The engine of a plane on display at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Dubai Police stand. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors looking at missiles at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
An exhibit with a bird-themed paint scheme the Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central. Pawan Singh / The National -
A drone on display at the stand of UAE military technology company EDGE, at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors at the Dubai Airshow. The event has attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors from 95 countries. Pawan Singh / The National -
A helicopter on display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An EDGE drone at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An Etihad Airways passenger jet on display at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE military aircraft at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates crew with an Emirates plane at the Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Abu Dhabi Police aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A flydubai plane at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Crew preparing an aircraft for Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates chalet at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates planes on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Riyadh Air's chalet at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors attend the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A Boeing plane on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National
The new 10 Airbus A350s will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines, Mr Zakaria said.
The deals will help EgyptAir with its ambitious plans to grow its fleet to 125 aircraft by 2028 – from 91 currently – in the first phase of its expansion.
EgyptAir, which was founded in 1932, also plans to expand its network to 100 destinations by 2028.
It is considering starting flights to new destinations in Asia, Europe and Africa.
The A350 aircraft could be deployed to long-haul routes such as Shanghai and Los Angeles, Mr Zakaria said.
Earlier this month, the airline announced new routes to Manchester, starting in July 2024, and New Delhi in August 2024.
