European OEM Airbus has won its largest ever single order for the Airbus A220 airliner from Air Asia.
The Malaysian carrier has ordered 150 of the type with the deal being signed at a ceremony in Mirabel, Canada where the A220s are made.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Advisor to AirAsia Group was present at the ceremony along with Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. Canadian Prime Minister Right Honourable Mark Carney also attended the event.
Air Asia is a new operator of the A220 and will be the launch customer for the new 160 cabin configuration which increases the capacity by adding 10 additional seats on the -300 variant.
“We have built AirAsia by making bold decisions at the right moment, not the easiest moment. This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions. The A220 unlocks new markets and routes and brings us closer to building the world’s first true low-cost network carrier,” said Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to Air Asia Group. “Our partnership with Airbus spans more than two decades and has been central to everything we have achieved. Today is another milestone in that journey, and there are many more to come.”
The airline plans to use the A220 to grow its network across the South East and Central Asian region.
“The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the range that will enable the carrier to open new routes across Asia and beyond,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “Airbus and AirAsia teams have been working tirelessly to reach this landmark agreement, which is fully aligned with the airline’s new network strategy.”
The Airbus A220 combines the longest range, lowest fuel consumption and widest cabin in its class and is the most modern airliner in its size category, carrying between 100 to 160 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km). Originally launched as the Bombardier C Series, Airbus took over the project in 2018 and renamed it the A220.