Air Cairo (SM, Cairo International) is looking to acquire eight A320neo twinjets as part of plans to operate a fleet of twenty aircraft by 2020 the airline's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Yasser El Ramly, has said.

In an interview with the Gulf News at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, El Ramly said the new aircraft would allow his airline to cope with rising numbers in Egypt's tourism sector.

“Our future plan is to serve the Middle East area. We would like to have flights from Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada to Jeddah International, Riyadh, Kuwait, and Dubai International,” he said. “Maybe next winter 2015-16.”

In a bid to enhance the airline's competitiveness, El Ramly said Air Cairo is in the process of transitioning from a charter operator into a Low Cost Carrier. The carrier is majority owned by EgyptAir (MS, Cairo International) with 60% while the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr each hold a 20% interest.

Founded in 2003, Air Cairo operates a fleet of seven A320-200s on flights to fifteen destinations in Denmark, Georgia, Jordan, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.