DUBAI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Air Senegal, the national carrier of Senegal has signed here on Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for two A330neo aircrafts, the new re-engined version of the A330 widebody airliner.
The West-African carrier said the two A330neo will serve its growth and business expansion in the future. The agreement makes Air Senegal the first airline in Africa to select the A330neo, said Airbus.
The agreement was announced during a signing ceremony at the Dubai Airshow in the presence of Maimouna Ndoye Seck, minister of air transport and development of airport infrastructure of Senegal.
The carrier is expected to begin operations in 2018. The airline plans to use the A330neo to develop its medium and long-haul network.
Philippe Bohn, CEO of Air Senegal, said "aviation is a catalyst for economic development and this purchase demonstrates Senegal's ambition for economic growth in line with the country's strategy to accelerate progress towards emergence (Plan Emerging Senegal)."
He added that "the A330neo has proven itself to be the right aircraft, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort."
"The A330 is the ideal choice for Air Senegal to build its network and become West Africa's fastest growing airline,'' said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer of Customers of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
Launched in July 2014, the latest generation of Airbus' widebody family, the A330neo builds on the A330's proven economics, versatility and reliability while reducing fuel consumption by 25 percent per seat.
