EgyptAir has put its first two Airbus A321neo aircraft into service since February 2023. The carrier has leased seven A321neos from AerCap and is the first African operator of the aircraft. EgyptAir’s A321neos feature a two-class configuration with 16 business class seats and 166 economy class seats, increasing the airline’s single-aisle capacity to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The first A321neo registered as SU-GFR was deployed to Dubai and Amsterdam airports and has also been seen in Copenhagen, Paris-CDG, Geneva, Milan-Malpensa and Barcelona. Meanwhile, the second A321neo, registered as SU-GFS, has been deployed to Germany with rotations to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Berlin. The third copy (SU-GFU) is expected to be delivered this month.
According to an Airbus press release, the A321neo will allow EgyptAir to extend its capabilities to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The Star Alliance company’s short-haul fleet comprises twelve A220-300s, two A320s, eight A320neos, and these two A321neos, in addition to 29 Boeing 737-800s with 144 or 154 seats, one of which will be converted into a cargo plane.
Airbus A321neo 🇪🇺
Egyptair SU-GFR 🇪🇬
Geneva Airport GVA/LSGG 🇨🇭
26 March 2023 pic.twitter.com/qsub0kETvu— Patrik Büchler (@patrik_buchler) March 28, 2023
EgyptAir’s deployment of the A321neo follows its commitment to sustainability and reducing operating costs. The A321neo brings a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per seat compared with previous generation competing aircraft, enabling the airline to deliver on its sustainability commitment while reducing operating costs.
The delivery flight from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg to Cairo was powered by 34 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend, demonstrating EgyptAir’s commitment to sustainability. SAF is a sustainably-produced aviation fuel made from feedstocks ranging from used fat, oil and grease to municipal and forestry waste. Compared to fossil jet fuel, SAF has been demonstrated to result in up to an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions across the entire SAF lifecycle. All Airbus commercial aircraft are capable of flying with an up to 50 percent SAF blend mixed with kerosene and are targeted to be capable of 100 percent SAF use in flight by the end of this decade. Since March 2021, Airbus has successfully accomplished 100 percent SAF test flights on A319neo, A350, and A380 aircraft.
