Egypt’s PM, Boeing Vice President Discuss Fostering Cooperation

Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouli met on Thursday with Vice President of US Boeing Company to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by a number of ministers, including, Investment and International Cooperation, Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Telecommunications, in addition to the Egyptian Ambassador to Washington.

During the meeting, the duo reviewed aspects of cooperation between Egypt, represented by EgyptAir and Boeing, especially in light of the ambitious plan adopted by the government to modernize the fleet of the Egyptian company with dozens of new B787-9 Dreamliner jets.

This has contributed to improving the financial and competitive position of EgyptAir.

The meeting also tackled the possibility of launching cooperation between Boeing and the Ministry of Communications in the field of technological development and software.

At the end of the meeting, Boeing's vice president stressed the company's interest in the Egyptian market as a promising and pivotal market in the Middle East.

It is noteworthy that EgyptAir contracted Boeing for the purchase of six aircrafts of the same model as part of the company’s fleet modernization plan.

This came as part of the largest deal in EgyptAir’s history, dubbed the “deal of the century” by aviation experts as it included the purchase of 45 new aircrafts of the latest worldwide models worth US$6 billion, such as six Boeing Dreamliner 787-9.

The Dreamliner is capable of traveling between 14,800 to 15,700 km non-stop and has 20 percent less fuel consumption than its counterparts in commercial aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliners are powered by Rolls Royce engines to fly over long distances. Its capacity ranges between 210 to 330 passengers.

EgyptAir also announced earlier that from July 2019 to May 2020, it would receive 12 Airbus 220/300 aircraft, which were produced by Bombardier of Canada before being acquired by Airbus.

In January 2020, the company will start receiving 15 Airbus A320, the latest and most advanced Airbus A320 to date, and another 12 Airbus 220/300 aircraft.

This deal will update 50 percent of the size of the fleet, the company said, adding that the second phase of fleet upgrades will be from 2019 to 2027.

EgyptAir’s network extends to more than 70 destinations in nearly 60 countries around the world to meet the needs of all customers, and it joined the Star Alliance in July 2008, and became the 21st member of the alliance which currently includes 27 airlines from the largest companies around the world.