Dedicated to Air Senegal: Cyprus Airways hastily acquired two Airbus A220-300s

Air Senegal is the lust for the past Airbus A220. The only plane delivered to the airline so far is grounded due to problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines. The African airline even threatened to sue the American engine manufacturer along with Air Tanzania.

Not much has changed in the skepticism about the A220 to this day. And so two A220-300s, already destined for Air Senegal, have now found a new buyer. Cyprus Airways leases the aircraft from Air Lease Corporation, which will be delivered early Tuesday (June 20). So Cyprus instead of West Africa.

A220-300 with Business Class

“The cabin will be private – these are planes that should really go to Air Senegal. And they come in this configuration, ”said Paul Cisse, president of Cyprus Airways, at Aero Telegraph at the Paris Air Show. It will be the only airline in Europe with a business class in the A220 2-2 seats.

Cyprus Airways President Paul Sayess and ALC President Stephen Udvar-Hazy. Photo: aeroTELEGRAPH

The aircraft comes with 110 economy class seats and 12 business class seats. “By the end of the year we’ll convert them to 120 economy class seats and eight business class,” says Sies. It is a test to see if passengers in Europe accept the cabin product. “We believe that Europe is ready for a real business class.” If the plan does not work, Cyprus Airways will rebuild the cabin.

Airbus A320 for another four years

Both aircraft have the livery of the airline and the name of the cabin has also been changed. Cyprus Airways will receive ten more A220-300s, four leased and six purchased. These aircraft will not have a business class.

To date, the airline has operated three Airbus A320 Ceos aircraft from the Mediterranean island – two of them and one on a blanket lease. Sies announced that you should leave the fleet in about four years.

Hedging at Pratt & Whitney

Regarding the problem with the engines of the Airbus A220, the head of Cyprus Airways said: “Of course we are concerned about the engines.” But you have made the appropriate agreements and warranties with Pratt and Whitney to protect themselves.

An important factor in these problems is the environment. “The climate here is warm, but not hot and not dusty.” Especially in hot and dusty areas there are problems with the engines. Cyprus Airways will have an average flight time of two-and-a-half hours with the A220, “which makes it ideal for the plane,” Steez says.