EgyptAir to retire 25 aircraft in 2018

EgyptAir is planning to retire twenty-five aircraft next year as part of its fleet renewal cycle, reports ch-aviation.
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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EgyptAir Holding, Safwat Mosallam, said last week the aircraft would be withdrawn with the arrival of newer machines. The overall aim, he said, is to lower the average age of EgyptAir's fleet from the current 9.1 years, to no more than 4. A review of the carrier's fleet makeup shows the oldest aircraft in Egyptair's fleet centre on its A320-200s, A321-200s, A330-200s, B737-800s, and lone remaining B777-200(ER). EgyptAir Express (MSE, Cairo Int'l) is also due to see its fleet of twelve EMB-170s (averaging 9 years) replaced.

"There is an exercise to upgrade the fleet of 12 Embraers, which seat up to 70 passengers," he told Al Ahram newspaper in an interview. "They will be replaced with more modern aircraft able to accommodate 100 passengers during the next month. Following that, we will be considering putting the aircraft up for sale or lease.

"As soon as the new aircraft arrive, the current fleet will be retired immediately, and next year 25 aircraft will be put out of service," he said. "The fleet will consist of small- and medium-sized aircraft of 140 passengers and widebody models with 260 passengers."