Airlines Middle East Airlines orders four A330-900neo

Over the course of an agreement with Rolls-Royce to power MEA aircraft, the airline has announced that it has decided to firm up an order for four new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. The carrier also said it has options to buy two more aircraft.

Start of deliveries are expected in 2021, this date however is yet to be confirmed by Airbus. With the A330-900neos, MEA is likely to expand its long-haul portfolio. In the long run, the state-of-the-art aircraft could replace the aging A330 that are currently operating routes with high demand.

The A330-900neo will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, for which MEA announced a services agreement with the engine-manufacturer. Rolls-Royce will provide engine maintenance service throughout the operation of the engine with MEA. Moreover, the company will perform the purchase of spare engines and supply the carrier with parts.

Rolls-Royce´s Trent family has now accumulated more than 125 million engines flying hours. The Trent 7000 is the latest engine and was developed for Airbus´ A330neo family, which consists of the A330-800 and the A330-900.

MEA Chairman - Director General Mohamad El-Hout said: “We are committed to ensuring our airline is at the leading-edge in terms of using technology to provide excellent customer service and performance. Our new aircraft, and their latest-generation Trent 7000 engines, will deliver on that goal.”

Rolls-Royce Chairman Ian Davis added:  “We are committed to ensuring our airline is at the leading-edge in terms of using technology to provide excellent customer service and performance. This deal symbolises the close bonds and relationship between the UK and Lebanon and we are pleased to be signing this historic deal here in London [...]”

The contract between MEA and Rolls-Royce was signed under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister of Lebanon Mr. Saad Hariri and Alistair Burt, UK Minister of State of International Development and Minister of State of the Middle East.

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national flag-carrier airline of Lebanon and has its headquarters at capital city Beirut. The airline is member of the SkyTeam alliance and was founded in 1945. A year later, the carrier commenced operations. Currently, MEA´s fleet consists of 13 Airbus A320s and five A330-200s.