Air Côte d’Ivoire takes delivery of its first Airbus A330neo
September 4, 2025
Air Côte d’Ivoire has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo, marking the arrival of the airline’s first widebody aircraft and the beginning of a new phase in its international expansion.
The aircraft, handed over in Toulouse on 4 September 2025, is the first of two A330-900s due to join the Ivorian flag carrier’s fleet. Configured in a four-class layout, it offers four seats in First, 44 in Business, 21 in Premium Economy and 173 in Economy.
Air Côte d’Ivoire’s Airbus A330neo for international expansion
The introduction of the A330neo represents a step change for Air Côte d’Ivoire, which until now has focused primarily on regional connectivity with its fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft and De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops.
By adding a modern widebody to its fleet, the airline is positioning itself as a long-haul carrier and strengthening Abidjan Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport’s role as a hub for West Africa.
The first scheduled route for the A330neo will be Abidjan–Paris, a key business and diaspora market where Air France currently dominates. Additional long-haul destinations are planned in the Middle East and North America, expanding the airline’s reach to new passenger segments and opening up opportunities for cargo services.
For the Ivorian government, the move supports wider ambitions to make Abidjan a leading gateway between Africa, Europe and the Americas, and to stimulate trade and tourism flows in the region.
Humanitarian cargo on the Air Côte d’Ivoire A330neo delivery flight
Air Côte d’Ivoire used the delivery flight to transport five tonnes of humanitarian goods, including medical materials and school supplies, from Toulouse to Abidjan.
The initiative was coordinated by the Airbus Foundation and Aviation Sans Frontières, continuing a long-standing practice of using delivery flights to support communities in need.
On arrival in Abidjan, the donations were handed over to two local NGOs, LifeShine and La Bienfaisance, which focus on health and education projects. The supplies will help equip schools and healthcare facilities in the city, directly benefiting local communities.
This was Air Côte d’Ivoire’s third goodwill delivery flight, underlining the airline’s commitment to using its operations for broader social impact as it grows into a long-haul carrier.
