Airbus is preparing to announce a major A220 order on May 6, with AirAsia expected to be the customer in a deal that could reach around 150 aircraft.
The announcement is scheduled for the Mirabel final assembly line in Canada, where most A220s are built. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend the event, underscoring the political and industrial importance of the program, which still involves local stakeholders following Airbus’s takeover of Bombardier’s CSeries in 2018.
Industry reports indicate the agreement could include a large number of firm orders, potentially making it the biggest single commitment for the A220 so far. Airbus has not confirmed the customer, referring only to a “historic” announcement tied to the aircraft.
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For AirAsia, the move would mark a shift in fleet strategy. The airline has built its network around larger A320-family jets, with more than 350 aircraft on order, but has signaled interest in smaller narrowbodies to open thinner routes and expand into secondary markets across Asia.
The A220, originally developed by Bombardier as the CSeries, was pitched to AirAsia years ago, including proposals for a higher-density configuration. The airline declined at the time, but the aircraft has since been updated and certified for higher passenger capacity, up to 149 seats in the A220-300.
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A large order would provide support to a program that continues to face constraints. Airbus has adjusted production targets amid supply chain limitations and persistent issues with Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, which have affected output not only for the A220 but also for other narrowbody programs.
At the same time, Airbus is seeking to bring the A220 closer to profitability after years of losses. The aircraft competes directly with the Embraer E195-E2, which has secured recent orders and outpaced A220 sales in some campaigns.
AirAsia’s potential commitment would expand the A220’s presence in Asia and could influence future decisions on the program’s development, including whether Airbus proceeds with a stretched version, a project the company continues to study without committing to a launch.
