FLEET - Middle East Airlines (Lebanon) now expects its A330neo deliveries to begin in September 2026, replacing the airline’s older A330s.

The first A321XLR is due in November 2026 and will use the aircraft to open new destinations in Africa

MEA

FLEET - Middle East Airlines (Lebanon) is in talks with Airbus for about a dozen aircraft, mainly A320 family aircraft, along with a couple of A330s.

The carrier is also in talks with lessors for additional jets. Some of the aircraft will be used to build out its new LCC subsidiary.

Aviator / Flyingphotos

FLEET - Lebanon's MEA to take A321neo(XLR)s, A330neo in 2026

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut) now expects to take the first of its five planned A321-200NY(XLR)s in 2026, chief executive Mohamad El-Hout has told Arabian Aerospace. The Lebanese flag carrier originally planned to take the aircraft in 2023-2024.MEA currently has four A321neo(XLR)s on firm order from Airbus. El-Hout said that in total it planned to take five of the type. It also has one A321-200NX remaining on order from the manufacturer. MEA did not respond as to whether the non-XLR order had been converted into an XLR to increase the commitment to five.
The airline also has a firm order for four A330-900s, which are currently scheduled for delivery in 2026-2028.
MEA's current fleet comprises nine A320-200s, ten A321-200NX, and four A330-200s. The airline plans to keep its current-generation aircraft operating as long as necessary to compensate for the A321neo and A330neo delays.
El-Hout revealed that insurers' pressure related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the frequent Israeli strikes on Lebanon had relented, allowing MEA to restore its network out of Beirut with some schedule adjustments, mostly related to overnighting aircraft outside of Lebanon. Currently, all but one A321-200NX and one A330 are active.

Airbus delivers A320 Family MSN10,000 to Middle East Airlines

Middle East Airlines (MEA) has taken delivery of Airbus’ A320 Family aircraft with manufacturer serial number 10,000. MSN10,000 is the third A321neo to join the all Airbus MEA fleet, taking the fleet size to 18 aircraft. MEA received its first A321neo aircraft earlier in 2020 and will be taking another six A321neos over the coming months.

The handover of the aircraft took place in Toulouse in the presence of Mohamad El-Hout, Chairman and Director General of MEA.

“We are honoured to receive the state of the art A321neo with its distinctive serial number 10,000 coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Middle East Airlines and specially after receiving MSN5,000 back in 2012. Since we first acquired an A320 Family aircraft in 2003, we have not only benefited from the outstanding operational efficiency of the aircraft but were also the first airline to introduce the wide-body cabin product on a single-aisle aircraft which has become a trend in the airline industry afterwards,” said MEA Chairman and Director General, Mohamad El Hout. “Unfortunately, due to the current situation in Lebanon, this time we will not be able to celebrate the delivery of the MSN10,000 in Beirut, as we did with the MSN5,000, but I am sure that in these challenging circumstances, it is a ray of light, hope and motivation to surpass our nation’s difficulties.”

“Airbus is proud to continue building its long-standing partnership with Middle East Airlines which already operates one of the most modern Airbus fleets in the world. As an all Airbus operator, MEA benefits from the Airbus’ unique fleet commonality between aircraft families and is now adding the third highly fuel-efficient A321neo to step up the game. I admire the agility and the resilience of this company in this complex environment,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Delivering MSN10,000 is a milestone that demonstrates the success of the A320 Family and we thank our customers globally for their confidence in our products.”

MEA took on MSN5,000 in 2012, after 23 years of Airbus A320 Family production. The next 5,000 took just another eight years to mark this significant MSN10,000 milestone - again with MEA. This achievement is a testimony of the industrial advancement and capabilities by Airbus and the popularity of the latest, even more efficient NEO version of the aircraft.

The airline’s A321neo is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines and is configured in a comfortable two-class layout with 28 seats in Business and 132 seats in Economy Class. It is also equipped with the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and high-speed connectivity. Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances, and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of 20% as well as a 50% noise reduction.

 

 

MEA - A321NEO - T7-ME3

Dirk Grothe
 

MEA - A321NEO - T7-ME2 / 2020/07/24

Dirk Grothe - XFW

MEA adds first A321neo

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut) has taken delivery of its first of fifteen A321-200NX due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac). According to Flightradar24 ADS-B data, T7-ME1 (msn 9427) was ferried from Hamburg Finkenwerder to Beirut on Friday, July 10.

An airline statement said the aircraft seats 160 passengers, including 132 in economy class and 28 in business class. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1133G motors.

The jet has been secured using a sales/lease-back agreement with BOC Aviation. Overall, the Lebanese carrier is expecting a total of nine A321neo to deliver through the course of 2020 and into 2021. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, broken down into sub-variants, MEA's A321neo Family order book entails eleven A321-200Ns and four A321-200NX(XLR)s.

MEA is using the incoming A321neo order to renew its existing narrowbody fleet of eleven A320-200s. It also operates five A330-200s.

ch aviation

MEA - A321NEO - T7-ME1

Dirk Grothe - XFW

MEA - A320-200Sharklets - F-WWIJ1

Alain Charpentier  -TLS

MEA - A320-200Sharklets - T7-MRDj

João Luis Pessoa - Geneva

MEA - A320-200 Sharklets - F-WWDY

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Middle East Airlines firms up order for ten A320neo Family aircraft

World’s most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft continues to attract new customers

Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA), the flag carrier of Lebanon, has signed a firm contract for ten A320neo Family aircraft (five A321neo and five A320neo aircraft). This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding which was announced on 12th July 2012. MEA will announce its engine choice at a later date.

“Airbus’ A320neo Family is the ideal choice for an airline such as Middle East Airlines,” said MEA Chairman-Director General, Mohamad El Hout. “An aircraft offering fuel burn saving, high reliability as well as a modern and comfortable cabin is a sound investment in anyone’s books.”

“Middle East Airlines is going to be well positioned with these A320neo Family aircraft in its fleet to maintain its record as one of the most successful airlines in the dynamic Middle East region,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are convinced the NEO will deliver on its promises as the most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft and look forward to seeing MEA taking full advantage of all the benefits this aircraft offers.”

MEA operates one of the most modern fleets in the Middle East region with four A330-200s, four A321s and ten A320s.

The A320neo ‘new engine option’ for the A320 Family will enter into service from late 2015. It incorporates latest generation engines and large Sharklet wing-tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. With more than 1,600 firm orders since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has proven to be the fastest selling commercial aircraft programme ever.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, close to 8,900 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,300 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

AIRBUS

MEA - A320-200, F-ORMC

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

MEA - A320-200, F-OMRN

 Ton Jochems- BRU

Middle East Airlines adere à Skyteam em 2012