The first A320neo will be delivered on February 18, Johannesburg in direct flight
Expected last October, the first Air Côte d'Ivoire A320neo will finally enter the fleet in the coming days.
The company relies on the good performance of this device for the densification and expansion of its network.
We are now set on the date of receipt of the new A320neo from Air Côte d'Ivoire. "After a delivery delayed for reasons beyond our control, the actual delivery of our new Airbus A320 neo will take place on February 18, 2021 in Toulouse," announces the national airline of Côte d'Ivoire, on its Facebook page on February 4.
The brand new device (MSN 10197) "will be immediately transported to Abidjan where it will arrive at 4 p. m. GMT the same day." The plane was originally expected last October. In a previous press release published at that time, the Ivorian carrier indicated that "thanks to its characteristics, this new Airbus A320neo will make it possible to densify the network until the opening of the Abidjan-Johannesburg line in April 2021".
For the moment, reservations are not yet available on its website. Its A320neo can accommodate up to 194 passengers in a two-class configuration. By opting for its new eco-efficient planes, the carrier expects a 20% reduction in its fuel bill. The same goes for operating costs, which are expected to drop by 14%. "These economic performances, combined with the effects of the company's competitiveness plan should help improve its operating results to achieve profitability in 2022 and prepare for its entry into long-haul" estimates the company. When it is commissioned, Air Côte d 'Ivoire will become the third A320neo operator in Africa after Air Seychelles which has two units and Egyptair which took delivery of eight units between February and July 2020. Its active fleet currently has 5 Airbus (three A319ceo and two A320 ceo) and 4 Dash8-400s while its order book includes two A319neo.
