EgyptAir received its seventh Airbus A320Neo from France, a statement by the national airline said, as it announced its highest operating rate since the resumption of flights earlier this month.

The seventh Airbus A320Neo, arriving from France’s Toulouse, is part of a total eight A320Neo jets contracted by EgyptAir, as well as seven A321Neo jets set to join the carrier’s fleet later.

With the operation of the newly-received aircraft, EgyptAir becomes the first company to operate both the Airbus A320Neo and Airbus A220 modern aircraft in its fleet in the Middle East and Africa.

According to EgyptAir,  the A320Neo Family will offer up to 20 percent savings in fuel burn per seat by 2020, two tons of additional payload, and 500 nautical miles of more range.

Its operating costs are lower, along with a nearly 50 percent reduction in engine noise and NOx emissions 50 percent below the current industry standard.

The arrival of the new Airbus model comes hours after EgyptAir announced on Friday that it saw its highest operating rate since the resumption of flights on 1 July.

The national carrier said it has operated 41 international flights, including regular, domestic and air cargo flights, to fly around 4,000 passengers.

Last week, EgyptAir said it will increase the number of international destinations to which it is operating regular flights from 30 to 35 starting August.

The number of domestic trips to Egyptian coastal cities and tourist hubs will also be increased in a bid to stimulate local tourism, it said.

Egypt, in a bid to offset losses by the aviation sector, reopened its airports for international flights for the first time in more than three months since a flight suspension was put in place over the coronavirus.

Foreign tourists are now allowed to fly to three coastal governorates only, which have recorded the lowest numbers of coronavirus cases in the country, with more cities planned to reopen for foreign visitors in later stages.

Travellers must sign at departure airports that they are free of the virus prior to boarding their planes, while those coming from countries with high rates of coronavirus are required to submit test results to prove they are virus-free before travelling.

EgyptAir’s occupancy rate during the first stage of operation is 60 to 70 percent, the company said.