MEA takes delivery of new A320 family aircraft from Airbus

Lebanon flag carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) has taken delivery of an Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

Designated as MSN10,000, this is the third A321neo to join the airline. MEA operates an all Airbus fleet of 18 aircraft.

The handover of the aircraft took place in Toulouse, France.

Earlier this month, MEA took the delivery of the first A321neo aircraft earlier.

The carrier expects to receive another six A321neos in the next few months.

MEA chairman and director general Mohamad El Hout said: “We are honoured to receive the state-of-the-art A321neo with its distinctive serial number 10,000 coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Middle East Airlines and specially after receiving MSN5,000 back in 2012.

“Since we first acquired an A320 Family aircraft in 2003, we have not only benefited from the outstanding operational efficiency of the aircraft, but were also the first airline to introduce the wide-body cabin product on a single-aisle aircraft, which has become a trend in the airline industry afterwards.”

Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines, A321neo configured in a two-class layout with 28 seats in Business and 132 seats in Economy Class.

The aircraft is also equipped with an advanced in-flight entertainment system and high-speed connectivity. It also reduces fuel consumption by 20% and noise pollution by 50%.

Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer said: “Airbus is proud to continue building its long-standing partnership with Middle East Airlines, which already operates one of the most modern Airbus fleets in the world.

“Delivering MSN10,000 is a milestone that demonstrates the success of the A320 Family and we thank our customers globally for their confidence in our products.”

In July this year, Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific reportedly deferred the delivery of the A321neo and A350 aircraft.