Air Côte d’Ivoire takes delivery of first A330neo, expands long-haul ambitions

September 4, 2025 in Business, Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Air Côte d’Ivoire has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo, marking the arrival of widebody aircraft into its fleet for the first time and setting the stage for the airline’s long-haul expansion.

The A330-900, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, touched down at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan this afternoon after its delivery flight from Toulouse. Configured in a four-class layout with 242 seats—including four in First Class, 44 in Business, 21 in Premium Economy, and 173 in Economy—the aircraft will be deployed on upcoming services to Paris before Air Côte d’Ivoire expands to destinations in the Middle East and North America.

To mark the milestone, the delivery flight also carried five tonnes of humanitarian aid, including school supplies and medical equipment. Coordinated with the Airbus Foundation and supported by Aviation Sans Frontières, the goods will be distributed to local NGOs LifeShine and La Bienfaisance to support health and education projects in Abidjan. It is the third time the airline has paired a new delivery with a goodwill mission.

Air Côte d’Ivoire, which currently serves 22 destinations across West and Central Africa, described the aircraft as pivotal to its growth strategy. The airline joins more than 130 global operators who have ordered the A330neo, of which over 1,920 firm orders had been placed by July 2025.

The aircraft is equipped with Airbus’ award-winning Airspace cabin, featuring larger overhead bins, a new lighting system, and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity. It is also capable of flying on blends of up to 50pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with Airbus targeting full 100pc SAF capability across its aircraft by 2030.

For Rolls-Royce, the delivery marked a new relationship in Africa. “We are proud to power Air Côte d’Ivoire’s first widebody aircraft with our Trent 7000 engines,” said Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President, Customers at Rolls-Royce. “This is a significant milestone for both the airline and the region, as it expands connectivity and supports the growth of long-haul travel across West Africa.”

The Trent 7000, developed as the exclusive powerplant for the A330neo, is the latest in the Trent engine family, which has accumulated over 200 million flight hours. Offering a 14pc improvement in fuel burn per seat compared to its predecessor and operating at six decibels quieter, the engine combines advanced efficiency with reduced environmental impact. It is also compatible with 100pc SAF and 98pc recyclable under Rolls-Royce’s Revert programme.

With the arrival of the A330neo, Air Côte d’Ivoire positions itself as a new contender on intercontinental routes, linking Abidjan more closely with global markets and strengthening its status as a regional hub.