Confirming Canadian reports that AirAsia has placed a firm order with Airbus for 150 A220-300s — and that the aircraft will feature a new high-density, 160-seat configuration — group CEO Tony Fernandes today vowed to buy 150 more A220s if Airbus builds a stretched version of the type, dubbed the A220-500.
“From the moment I flew it in 2017… I was blown away by what an incredible aircraft it was, even in 2017. And the only reason we didn’t buy it at that point was we just wanted it to be a little bit longer, and now you’ve done this,” Fernandes said during a media briefing to announce the landmark deal, which will see Airbus boost capacity on AirAsia’s A220-300s by adding 10 seats and an extra overwing exit on each side of the aircraft.
“The A220 is not just an airplane. It’s a symbol of Canadian perseverance and innovation,” Fernandes said in front of over 4,000 employees and guests at the A220 final assembly line in Mirabel, Quebec.
The twinjets are a key part of the Malaysian low-cost carrier’s fleet renewal strategy.
“And we hope,” stressed Fernandes, that Airbus will build “the A220-500, which is 185 seats. That’s the aircraft we really want. So, Lars [Wagner, Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO], you know, get a move on. We do want that aircraft. And we have committed, if they build that aircraft — so you can put them all under pressure today — if they build that aircraft, AirAsia will buy another 150 of these aircraft as well.”
Today’s 150-strong A220-300 deal represents a landmark agreement for both the A220 program and the airframer’s Mirabel line.
It is the largest single firm order placed for the A220. It propels the A220 program to a 1,000-firm order milestone overall. And, notably, every aircraft that AirAsia receives will come from the Quebec facility.
With the addition of another set of overwing exits, the new high-density A220-300 also gives airlines a fresh, high-density seating option.
Embraer made a competitive bid and the Brazilian airframer did “a fantastic job,” Fernandes revealed today.
A longtime Airbus A320 family aircraft operator, AirAsia has “now bought 800 planes from you, Airbus, and you’ve been a wonderful partner,” he added.
“Today, I can say we really are married. We really are together.”
