Widebody Continues Sales Resurgence

EgyptAir, headquartered in Cairo has signed a firm contract to buy five A330-200 widebody aircraft, with an option for an additional three.

"Expanding our fleet with the Airbus A330-200 will allow EgyptAir to continue its impressive route network growth which now numbers over 60 international destinations in over 43 countries. The A330-200 aircraft with its very low costs, reliability and cabin comfort suites our expansion needs and will also fit in well with our existing fleet of Airbus aircraft", said Atef Abd El Hamid, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company.

EgyptAir currently operates around 30 A320-family planes, in addition to A330s, A340s and the A300-600 freighter.

"We are delighted with EgyptAir's continued commitment to Airbus and our world leading products. EgyptAir already operate a largely Airbus aircraft fleet and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come", said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

As ANN has reported, after years of relative obscurity in the order books, the A330 twinjet has seen a resurgence in orders for 2007 -- fueled in large part to an upcoming freighter variant (shown above). Other orders are tied to the European planemaker's upcoming A350 XWB; the airframe is also used for the EADS Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.egyptair.com