EgyptAir swaps two 777s for eight 737-800s

EgyptAir and Boeing said yesterday that the airline converted a previous order for two 777s into an order for an additional eight 737-800s.

The order previously had been added to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website and attributed to an unidentified customer (ATWOnline, July 17). The carrier has seven 737-800s in operation and is slated to take delivery of an additional five this year. It has five 777s in its fleet and is scheduled to receive six 777-300ERs beginning next year.

It has said its growth strategy is based on expanding services in Africa and allowing passengers to connect to long-haul routes available via its membership in Star Alliance (ATWOnline, June 16). "We are pursuing a fleet plan that allows us to expand our regional markets and offer those passengers extensive international routing options," Chairman Tawfik Assy said. EgyptAir joined Star Alliance in July 2008.