Fleet Plan News: Yemenia takes delivery of first A320

The Yemeni flag-carrier took delivery of its first Airbus A320-233 (reg 7O-AFA, serial 4653) in Sana'a on 28 April 2011. The aircraft is the first of a planned A320 fleet of ten, ordered in January 2010. The A320s will replace and expand the carrier's previous fleet of leased Boeing 737-800s, which is now reduced to just two aircraft. The new IAE V2527E-A5 powered A320, which features a updated version of the Yemenia livery, is configured with 12 business class and 138 economy seats. The second aircraft (reg 7O-AFB, serial 4690) is expected to be delivered shortly, with a third (serial 5031) due for delivery later this year. Three more A320s are due in 2012 and the final four in 2013. The departure of the last 737 will effectively make Yemenia an all Airbus operator, although it also operates a VIP-configured Boeing 747SP and 727-200 for the Yemeni government. Yemenia's Joint Venture Divison also operates a small mixed fleet of Bombardier DHC-8-100s, Twin Otters and Kamov Ka-32 helicopters in support of the country's oil industry. Yemenia's orderbook includes ten A350-800s, which will start to replace the current fleet of three A310-300s and (eventually) three A330-200s, from 2015.

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