AlMasria Universal Airlines
Encyclopedia
AlMasria Universal Airlines (also known as AlMasria Airlines) is an airline
based in Egypt
.
The airline operates scheduled
services from Egypt to the Middle East
. The carrier became the first private Egyptian airline to operates scheduled flights, joining government-owned EgyptAir
.
'AlMasria' is derived from the Arabic word for 'Egyptian'.
The company offers cargo services in the bellyhold of its passenger fleet.
Maintenance is outsourced completely to EgyptAir
under a total service agreement, with the airline also training AlMasria flight crew and the technical team. Ground-handling will be through EgyptAir, with passenger services undertaken by Egypt Aviation Services and catering by a new venture between EgyptAir and Lufthansa
's LSG Sky Chefs.
In December 2009 the airline became the first international airline to operate flights to Saudia Arabia's Yanbu Airport. In June 2010 the airline repeated the milestone at Qassim Regional Airport
. Previously both Yanbu and Qassim airports were domestic airports. Both flights originate from Cairo International Airport
.
Other destinations earmarked by Aziz include Europe and Middle East with specific mention of Bahrain
, Qatar
and Jordan
in addition to Copenhagen
and Milan
. AlMasria is also looking to lever the current bilateral talks taking place between Cairo
and Baghdad
.
The airline's fleet will centre around the Airbus A320
aircraft. The first aircraft arrived in Egypt in April 2009 and second in August 2009. Both aircraft are leased from BOC Aviation.
The airline's CEO stated the plans call for a further 3 A320 will join during the first year of operation. An eventual fleet of 10 aircraft is planned by 2014. "We aim to dry-lease the first aircraft for the first three years", says Aziz. "After five years we aim to buy aircraft from Airbus by 2014. We don't want to load the balance sheet by buying $250 million in assets at the start."
The airline plans to provide a full on-board service. Cairo-originating services will feature two cabins with aircraft configured with 164 seats.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
The airline operates scheduled
Airline timetable
Airline timetables are booklets that many airlines worldwide use to inform passengers of several different things, such as schedules, fleet, security, in-flight entertainment, food menu, restriction and phone contact information....
services from Egypt to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. The carrier became the first private Egyptian airline to operates scheduled flights, joining government-owned EgyptAir
EgyptAir
EgyptAir is the flag carrier airline of Egypt and a member of Star Alliance. The airline is based at Cairo International Airport, its main hub, operating scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas...
.
'AlMasria' is derived from the Arabic word for 'Egyptian'.
Operations
Plans for AlMasria Universal Airlines were announced in 2008 and the airline launched operations in June 2009. The Cairo-based carrier, is privately backed by four Egyptian businessmen. In an interview in April 2009 the company President & CEO (and former pilot), Hassan Aziz, stated that the airline would launch operations in 2009 to take advantage of low prices during the global financial crisis to tap demand for air travel in the most populous Arab country.The company offers cargo services in the bellyhold of its passenger fleet.
Maintenance is outsourced completely to EgyptAir
EgyptAir
EgyptAir is the flag carrier airline of Egypt and a member of Star Alliance. The airline is based at Cairo International Airport, its main hub, operating scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas...
under a total service agreement, with the airline also training AlMasria flight crew and the technical team. Ground-handling will be through EgyptAir, with passenger services undertaken by Egypt Aviation Services and catering by a new venture between EgyptAir and Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
's LSG Sky Chefs.
Destinations
As of December 2010 the airline is operating international scheduled flights on the following routes:- CairoCairoCairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
- Cairo International AirportCairo International AirportCairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the primary hub for Star Alliance member EgyptAir. The airport is located to the north-east of the city around from the business area of the city.The airport is administered by the Egyptian Holding Co...
- Ta’ifTa’ifTa’if is a city in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia at an elevation of on the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains . It has a population of 521,273 . Each summer the Saudi Government moves from the heat of Riyadh to Ta'if...
- Ta’if Regional AirportTa’if Regional AirportTa’if Regional Airport is an airport in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia.-Airlines and destinations:... - BuraidahBuraidahBuraidah is the capital of Al-Qassim Province in northcentral Saudi Arabia in the heart of the Arabian peninsula. Buraidah lies equidistant from the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east...
- Qassim Regional AirportQassim Regional AirportQassim Regional Airport is an airport in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.On 26 June 2010 Egypt's AlMasria Universal Airlines became the first international airline to serve the airport to Cairo.-Airlines and destinations:... - TabukTabukTabuk , also spelled Tabouk, is the capital city of the Tabuk province in north western Saudi Arabia. It has a population of 441,351 .-History:Around Tabuk, the Battle of Tabouk took place in the time of Islamic prophet Muhammad....
- Tabuk Regional AirportTabuk Regional AirportTabuk Regional Airport or King Faisal Airbase is a military and civilian airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.-Military use:The Royal Saudi Air Force keeps much of its F-15 fighter jets at Tabuk.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:... - Yanbu - Yanbu Airport
- Ta’if
- AlexandriaAlexandriaAlexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
- Alexandria International Airport- KuwaitKuwaitThe State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
- Kuwait International AirportKuwait International AirportKuwait International Airport is located in Farwaniyah, Kuwait, south of Kuwait City. It serves as hub for Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways. A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the Kuwait Air Force, as well as the Kuwait Air... - JeddahJeddahJeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
- King Abdulaziz International AirportKing Abdulaziz International AirportKing Abdulaziz International Airport is an aviation facility located 19 km to the north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Named after King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the airport is Saudi Arabia's third largest air facility and busiest airport by passenger. The airport occupies an area of 15 square kilometers...
- Kuwait
- Assiut - Assiut AirportAssiut AirportAssiut Airport is an airport in Assiut , Egypt.In 2009, the airport served 258,856 passengers .-Airlines and destinations:...
- KuwaitKuwaitThe State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
- Kuwait International AirportKuwait International AirportKuwait International Airport is located in Farwaniyah, Kuwait, south of Kuwait City. It serves as hub for Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways. A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the Kuwait Air Force, as well as the Kuwait Air...
- Kuwait
In December 2009 the airline became the first international airline to operate flights to Saudia Arabia's Yanbu Airport. In June 2010 the airline repeated the milestone at Qassim Regional Airport
Qassim Regional Airport
Qassim Regional Airport is an airport in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.On 26 June 2010 Egypt's AlMasria Universal Airlines became the first international airline to serve the airport to Cairo.-Airlines and destinations:...
. Previously both Yanbu and Qassim airports were domestic airports. Both flights originate from Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the primary hub for Star Alliance member EgyptAir. The airport is located to the north-east of the city around from the business area of the city.The airport is administered by the Egyptian Holding Co...
.
Other destinations earmarked by Aziz include Europe and Middle East with specific mention of Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
in addition to Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
and Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. AlMasria is also looking to lever the current bilateral talks taking place between Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
and Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
.
Fleet
The AlMasria Universal Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft (at November 2011):| Aircraft | In Service |
Orders | Passengers (Business/Economy) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-232 | 2 | - | 164 (8/156) | Leased from BOC Aviation |
| Airbus A321 | 1 | - | 188 (12C/176Y) | Leased from ILFC |
| Total | 3 | - | Last updated: November 2011 |
The airline's fleet will centre around the Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
aircraft. The first aircraft arrived in Egypt in April 2009 and second in August 2009. Both aircraft are leased from BOC Aviation.
The airline's CEO stated the plans call for a further 3 A320 will join during the first year of operation. An eventual fleet of 10 aircraft is planned by 2014. "We aim to dry-lease the first aircraft for the first three years", says Aziz. "After five years we aim to buy aircraft from Airbus by 2014. We don't want to load the balance sheet by buying $250 million in assets at the start."
The airline plans to provide a full on-board service. Cairo-originating services will feature two cabins with aircraft configured with 164 seats.