Air Cairo to become first Middle East customer for Airbus A318

Egypt-based low-cost carrier Air Cairo is finalising the acquisition of six A318s, the smallest member of the modern Airbus family.

Air Cairo, which is majority owned by Egyptair, plans to use the Airbus A318s mostly on flights within Egypt, but also on some routes to Europe and within the Middle East.

Deliveries of Air Cairo’s A318s are planned to begin in the third quarter of 2006. They will seat up to 120 passengers in an all-economy layout, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

“We needed a small aircraft to match the passenger traffic that we have on our domestic and international routes, and the Airbus A318 combines the benefits of large-jet passenger comfort with attractive small-jet economics,” says Air Cairo Chairman Kamal Zaki. “We will also benefit from the Airbus A318’s commonality with the Airbus 320 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.

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