Quantcast

Air Côte d’Ivoire receives first Airbus A330neo for new long-haul route to Paris

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
Air Côte d’Ivoire receives first Airbus A330neo for new long-haul route to Paris
Policy
Webp oi
Guillaume Faury, CEO | Airbus

Air Côte d’Ivoire has received its first Airbus A330neo, marking the airline’s entry into the widebody aircraft market. The new aircraft is scheduled to begin service on flights between Abidjan Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport in mid-September 2025.

This delivery is part of an order for two A330neo jets. The newly arrived aircraft completed its maiden flight on August 5, 2025, and features a four-class cabin configuration. The acquisition was financed through a Shariah-compliant Sukuk facility arranged by BADEA and the West African Development Bank.

With this addition, Air Côte d’Ivoire will operate long-haul routes for the first time. Flights to Paris are set to commence on September 18, 2025. While Aeroroutes indicates daily service, Cirium schedule filings show six weekly flights; bookings are not yet open so the final frequency may change.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The outbound flight from Paris departs at 8:00 AM local time and arrives in Abidjan at 12:30 PM. The return leaves Abidjan at 2:30 PM and lands in Paris at 11:00 PM, with each leg lasting about six hours. The aircraft will remain overnight in Paris before returning.

The A330neo accommodates 242 passengers across four classes: four first class seats, 44 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 173 economy seats. With six weekly flights planned initially, Air Côte d’Ivoire will offer up to 1,452 seats per week on this route.

Government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly commented on the delivery: “The financing, the subject of this agreement, will allow Air Côte d'Ivoire to launch direct and regular long-haul flights from Abidjan to several major American and European cities such as New York and Paris and several other international destinations.”

On the competitive front, Air France currently operates twice-daily nonstop services between Abidjan and Paris using Airbus A350-900s or Boeing 777s. Air France also owns a minority stake in Air Côte d’Ivoire (20%). Brussels Airlines offers one-stop connections via Brussels Airport; other airlines like Air Senegal (via Dakar) and Air Algérie (via Algiers) provide additional options with stopovers.

Air Côte d’Ivoire plans to use its position as a regional connector to offer onward connections beyond Abidjan for travelers arriving from or departing to Paris. Potential connecting cities include Lomé, Ouagadougou, Bamako, Kinshasa, Yaoundé, and Dakar.

Domestically within Ivory Coast, the airline serves cities such as San-Pedro, Man, Bouaké, Korhogo, and Odienné. Its subregional network covers destinations including Abuja, Lagos, Dakar, Casablanca, Accra among others.

Currently operating a fleet of five Airbus A319s [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/aircraft/search?search=1&operator=Air+Cote+d%27Ivoire), four Dash 8 turboprops [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/aircraft/search?search=1&operator=Air+Cote+d%27Ivoire), two Airbus A320-200s [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/aircraft/search?search=1&operator=Air+Cote+d%27Ivoire), one wet-leased Airbus A320neo [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/aircraft/search?search=1&operator=Air+Cote+d%27Ivoire), and now one A330neo [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/aircraft/search?search=1&operator=Air+Cote+d%27Ivoire), Air Côte d’Ivoire’s average fleet age stands at about seven years according to ch-aviation data [source](https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/operators). In partnership with Ethiopian Airlines it also codeshares flights to New York JFK.

A second A330neo is expected for future delivery as part of ongoing expansion plans targeting new intercontinental routes such as London or New York.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025