Egypt-based low-cost carrier Air Cairo has signed a contract with Airbus for four A320s, becoming a new Middle East customer for the aircraft. The deal reaffirms a previously announced commitment by the airline to the Airbus A320 Family.
Air Cairo, which is majority owned by an Egyptian bank and Egyptair, plans to use the Airbus A320s mainly on routes to Europe and within the Middle East.
Air Cairo’s A320s will seat up to 174 passengers in an all-economy layout, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.
“With its passenger appeal and excellent economics, the Airbus A320 is the right size of aircraft for our services,” says Air Cairo Chairman Kamal Zaki. “We will also benefit from commonality with the other Airbus A320 Family aircraft in the Egyptair fleet.”
Air Cairo currently flies two Airbus A321s - leased from Egyptair - on charter flights to Europe, as well as within the Middle East.
“Air Cairo’s selection of the A320 mirrors that of other low-cost carriers, which have also chosen it for their low-cost services,” says Airbus President and CEO Gustav Humbert. “We are also pleased to be building on the long-standing partnership that we have with Air Cairo parent company Egyptair.”
Widely accepted as the industry standard, the best selling A320 Family comprises the 107 seat A318, 124 seat A319, 150 seat A320 and 185 seat A321. They share the same airframe – only the fuselage lengths are different – plus the same cockpits, systems and engines. With the most modern design of any single-aisle aircraft, the Airbus A320 Family is best placed to deliver the lowest running costs, making it the most economic aircraft in its class. And with the widest cabin in their class, passengers get more space, comfort and overhead stowage space, making the Airbus A320 Family the preferred aircraft on short-to-medium haul routes.
The Airbus A320 Family is the world’s most modern and popular single-aisle airliner product line. It has been ordered by, or is in service with more than 200 customers and operators around the world, and consistently leads in independent passenger and airline surveys. Firm orders for the Airbus A320 Family stand at more than 4,200 aircraft, of which almost 2,600 have been delivered.
Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.
