EgyptAir announced on Wednesday the renewal of cooperation with aircraft maker Boeing by purchasing nine of the latest 737 aircraft with a total value of about US$864 million (almost LE9 billion).
Safwat Mesallam, chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, said Boeing has played a vital role over the past years in the growth of the EgyptAir fleet, equipping it with the latest models.
Boeing has managed to gain the trust of many of the world's leading airlines through the "next generation" 737-800 model, which is frugal, efficient, and enjoys a high level of luxury, according to Mesallam.
"With the introduction of new planes of this model, especially after adding special specifications in the new contract in terms of breadth of the seats and increased levels of well-being, we can move forward toward the completion of EgyptAir strategy to strengthen and modernize its fleet," Mesallam said.
Eight of the aircraft are being purchased with the assisance of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), which is partly owned by the government of Dubai.
Khalifa al-Dabous, managing director of DAE, said his company is looking forward to a fruitful long-term relationsion with EgyptAir, through which DAE will support the company's plan to modernize its fleet.
Marty Bentrott, vice president of Boeing sales for the Middle East and Central Asia, said the new partnership stresses EgyptAir's trust in Boeing, especially the 737 series.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
