EGYPTAIR, the state-owned airline of Egypt, has taken the delivery of its first A321neo from Airbus, a pioneer of sustainable aerospace solutions, making it the first Africa operator of the aircraft
The aircraft, which boasts 16 business class seats and 166 economy class seats, will increase the airline’s single aisle capacity to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. It is on lease from AerCap and is powered by CFM engines.
As the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ single-aisle A320 family, the A321neo brings a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per seat compared with previous generation competing aircraft. This enables EGYPTAIR to benefit from enhanced efficiency and be able to deliver on its commitment to sustainability, whilst reducing operating costs.
This modern aircraft joins EGYPTAIR’s Airbus fleet of 12 A220s, 8 A320neos, 2 A320ceos 4 A330-200, 4 A330-300.
The delivery flight from Hamburg to Cairo was powered by 34% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. 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 an up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions across the entire SAF lifecycle. Therefore, it is considered as a key enabler to contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation.
Currently, all Airbus commercial aircraft are capable of flying with an up to 50% SAF blend mixed with kerosene and are targeted to be capable for 100% SAF use in flight by the end of this decade. Since March 2021, Airbus has successfully accomplished 100% SAF test flights on A319neo, A350 and A380 aircraft.
