Malaysia’s AirAsia has placed an order for 150 next-generation A220-300 aircraft. The agreement marks the largest single firm order for the A220 to date and takes the programme beyond the milestone of 1,000 firm orders, highlighting the aircraft’s strong global market appeal.
The contract was announced during a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, attended by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Adviser to AirAsia Group, and Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. The event took place in the presence of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Honourable Christine Fréchette, Premier of Quebec.
The purchase agreement makes AirAsia a new customer for the A220. The airline will also become the launch customer for the aircraft’s new 160-seat cabin configuration. The additional capacity of 10 seats has been made possible through the inclusion of an extra overwing exit on each side of the aircraft.
The A220 will complement AirAsia’s existing Airbus fleet and play a key role in supporting the Group’s network expansion and growth strategy. The aircraft will serve destinations across ASEAN and into Central Asia, allowing larger aircraft to be deployed on longer-haul routes.
“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,” commented 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.”
Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus commented on the agreement: “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,” he added: “Airbus and AirAsia teams have been working tirelessly to reach this landmark agreement, which is fully aligned with the airline’s new network strategy.”
