El-Hefny inspects Airbus headquarters in Toulouse ,reviews A350 capabilities
Pilot Ahmed Adel: A new milestone in EgyptAir’s vision for modernization and global competitiveness
By Mohamed Attia
In a significant move to strengthen Egypt’s aviation sector, Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, conducted an official visit to Airbus’s global headquarters in Toulouse, France. Accompanied by Pilot Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Ahmed Marei, Head of the Planning Sector at EgyptAir, the minister’s visit underscored EgyptAir’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth.
The visit commenced with a comprehensive presentation by Granja van den Bergh, Head of Marketing for Airbus Africa and the Middle East. The session highlighted the advanced capabilities of the A350 aircraft, current global operators of the model, and insights into Airbus’s delivery and order statistics.
Following the briefing, the Egyptian delegation toured Airbus’s customer showroom, viewing the A320, A330, and A350 models, including the A350 Airspace cabin and A350F freighter. This provided a firsthand look at the latest in passenger comfort, cargo capabilities, and aircraft design.
A key feature of the tour was a visit to the A350 final assembly line. Here, Dr. El-Hefny and the EgyptAir team observed the high-precision manufacturing processes and state-of-the-art technologies involved in aircraft production.
The delegation also explored the Airbus Training Center, renowned for its pilot and maintenance training. A highlight of this segment was a full-flight simulation of the A350 aircraft, offering the Minister and Pilot Adel an immersive experience of the center’s advanced training infrastructure.
Dr. El-Hefny expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to witness Airbus’s cutting-edge operations. “This visit reflects the strength of our partnership and the continuous technological evolution in civil aviation,” he stated. He emphasized the strategic depth of Egypt’s collaboration with Airbus, highlighting it as a model of international cooperation aimed at enhancing Egypt’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Pilot Ahmed Adel reaffirmed EgyptAir’s dedication to fleet modernization, stating, “Integrating the Airbus A350 into our fleet is a strategic milestone that aligns with our vision to enhance global competitiveness and operational efficiency.”
Adel underscored the economic and environmental benefits of the A350, noting its advanced design leads to reduced fuel consumption, lower operating costs, and an elevated customer experience. The aircraft also supports the airline’s sustainability goals by minimizing carbon emissions and noise.
Gabriel Simellas, President of Airbus Africa and the Middle East, praised the enduring partnership with EgyptAir. “Our relationship exemplifies the power of long-term collaboration between global manufacturers and national carriers,” he said. Simellas reaffirmed Airbus’s commitment to supporting EgyptAir with the latest aircraft technology, world-class training programs, and comprehensive digital services.
The Minister and delegation were welcomed by a senior Airbus executive team, including Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft; Wouter van Weersch, CEO of Airbus International; Osman Masten, Head of Commercial Aircraft Sales; and Imed Ben Abdallah, Sales Director for Airbus.
It is noteworthy that EgyptAir has recently finalized a purchase agreement for ten Airbus A350-900 aircraft. These aircraft accommodate 340 passengers across business and economy classes and are equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including Rolls-Royce XWB Trent engines and an advanced Panasonic in-flight entertainment system. The A350-900 also offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and significantly lower noise and carbon emissions, further enhancing EgyptAir’s commitment to sustainability and excellence.
