Egyptian airline Air Cairo is planning steady expansion over the rest of the decade, but it appears its small sub-fleet of Embraer 190s will be consigned to a modest role In the process.
The airline’s three E190 E1s – the last examples of the first-generation E190 to come off the production line – were acquired from Egyptian lessor CIAF Leasing in late 2022 and are on a 12-year lease.
The Embraers operate on both short- and medium-range sectors, said Air Cairo’s CEO, Ahmed Shannen. Most domestic routes are covered by the company’s ATR 72 turboprops, but the Embraers provide support on routes such Cairo to Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh, popular holiday destinations on the country’s Red Sea coast.
The Brazilian aircraft have the advantage of being able to move between short and longer cycles, allowing them not only to undertake domestic routes but also longer sectors to Southern European destinations, notably in Italy and Balkan nations.
The aircraft have had to fight an image battle with the travelling public, who are familiar with the Boeing and Airbus names, but not Embraer’s. But once they experience the new aircraft, passengers are happy with them, he said.
However, he thought it unlikely that Air Cairo would buy more of the small narrowbodies, at least at present. While the three aircraft filled a useful niche, the carrier is more likely to expand its Airbus A320 fleet: “But you never know what the market may need. I believe they can play a role in domestic routes.”
The aircraft currently operate with a 110-seat single-class configuration. However, studies are under way to evaluate introducing a premium economy cabin.
Related Content
