‍TOULOUSE — This week, Air Côte d’Ivoire (HF) took delivery of its first Airbus A330neo. Airways was in attendance at the delivery ceremony, which took place at the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France. Airways was on board the new aircraft at the delivery ceremony.

This aircraft is the first A330-900 of two, ordered back on October 25, 2022.

This firm order is part of HF's growth strategy support, aimed at expanding its network and efficiently launching long-haul routes in line with the airline’s transcontinental expansion strategy. The airline currently operates a fleet of six Airbus aircraft comprising one A320neo, two A320ceo, and three A319.

Delivery Ceremony

The delivery ceremony began with speeches from special guests representing Airbus, Air Côte d’Ivoire, and the Côte d’Ivoire government. 

From Airbus, Gabriel Sémelas, President of Airbus in Africa and the Middle East, Board of Directors of Air Côte d'Ivoire, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Amadou Koné, Minister of Transport from Côte d’Ivoire, and Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire.

Gabriel Sémelas underlined the importance of this historic delivery, both for HF and Airbus: “This A330neo is more than just an aircraft; it is the flag carrier of Côte d'Ivoire around the world," adding, "We are proud to know that it will enable VRE to launch its long-haul operations.”

This delivery is an honour for Airbus, which will enable HF to strengthen its leading position in West Africa. He also announced that the ferry flight to Abidjan would carry 5 tonnes of humanitarian donations, via the Airbus Foundation, to support local NGOs in the fields of health and education. 

Finally, Gabriel Sémelas affirmed Airbus's desire to remain a partner of choice for the Ivorian airline in the years to come.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Côte d'Ivoire, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, detailed the history of the company, which was given “carte blanche” by the country's president to start operations in 2012, and whose goal, and still is, to make it the leading airline in the region. 

“Today we are celebrating the delivery of a wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A330neo, which marks the start of our third project, which will consist of covering other continents from Abidjan,” said General Abdoulaye Coulibaly. 

In October, Airbus will deliver the second A330neo to Air Côte d'Ivoire, with a total fleet of 20 aircraft by 2030. Finally, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly explained that in September, the A330neo will launch the first long-haul route to Paris CDG, and in October, to Beirut with the delivery of the second aircraft.

Amadou Koné, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Transport, explained that the Ivorian airline's long-haul opening is part of its initial development plan and will support the country's dynamic economic progress as well as the airline's economic viability. The airline is now financially balanced and starting to make a profit. 

With 600 direct job creations and over 3,000 indirect jobs in Côte d'Ivoire, the national airline plays a vital role in the country. “This fine acquisition bears witness to the State's commitment to making Air Côte d'Ivoire a strong airline within the air transport system in Africa and throughout the world,” added the Minister.

Finally, the first lady of Côte d’Ivoire, Lady Dominique Ouattara, highlighted the historic moment in the history of aviation in Côte d'Ivoire, which is about to receive its first long-haul wide-body aircraft. The arrival of this modern, efficient, and comfortable aircraft “symbolizes not only the acquisition of an additional aircraft, but above all Côte d'Ivoire's desire to have the first airline in West Africa to serve intercontinental destinations.”

She also emphasized the importance of the new international routes, which enable populations to migrate and expand the nation's network connectivity, as well as opening up new cultural and economic opportunities.

Closing the speeches, gift exchange, and photo ops took center stage.

The A330neo: New Long-Range Capability for Air Côte d’Ivoire

Air Côte d’Ivoire will benefit from the A330neo’s many technological innovations, including the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, as well as a new wing and aerodynamic improvements over the current A330 generation aircraft. 

These advanced technical features enable a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, allowing the plane to fly a range of approximately 7,200 nautical miles (13,300 kilometers), which is sufficient to connect Abidjan to Europe and North America.

Additionally, HF pilots who fly the A320neo will be able to easily transition to the larger A330neo, allowing the airline to save on training, as well as maintenance, flexibility, and planning, thanks to Airbus' commonality.

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A High-end Four-class Cabin

Air Côte d’Ivoire A330neo gives a striking, modern, and clean look at first glance. It's the same feeling on the interior. The aircraft is equipped with an Airbus Airspace four-class cabin with 242 seats.

At the front, the first-class cabin offers four wide and comfortable lie-flat Thomson seats, equipped with a large 4K screen. Each seat offers the option for passengers to raise and lower a panel for added privacy.

Behind, 44 business class seats also made by Thomson, offer all direct aisle access in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. Similar to first class, we can find large 4K screens, multiple modern power outlets, and a lie-flat capability.

At the back, between business and economy, Air Côte d’Ivoire offers 21 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. 

The vibrant orange and green colors of the airline's branding design are visible on all seats, creating a modern and energetic atmosphere in this small cabin.

Finally, there is the economy class cabin, configured in a 2-4-2 configuration. The seats offer modern connectivity, a wide tactile screen, and can all be reclined for added comfort.

Air Côte d’Ivoire will operate its two A330neo jets on long-haul routes to Europe and the United States. The inaugural flight will be from Abidjan to Paris Charle-de-Gaulle Airport in September 2025; the airline will be competing with Air France (AF) and Corsair (SS). By October, the airline will open a second route to Beirut, marking the delivery of its second A330neo.

By 2027, the long-haul network is expected to expand to several destinations in Europe, including Brussels and London, as well as to the United States, with New York and Washington, pending the implementation of the fleet and financing plan.