Air Canada Expands A220 Fleet with Five More Aircraft
Air Canada has placed its third order for the Airbus A220-300, further bolstering its single-aisle fleet with an additional five aircraft. This latest procurement comes five years after Air Canada first integrated the A220 into its operations, highlighting the aircraft’s significant role in the airline’s strategic development.
The new firm order, announced by Airbus on December 20, 2024, continues Air Canada’s commitment to the A220 model, which began with an initial purchase of 45 A220-300s in 2016 and an additional 15 aircraft in a subsequent 2022 order.
John Di Bert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Air Canada, praised the A220’s performance, noting, “The A220 has delivered on its promises for Air Canada in its five years in service. It has allowed us to open new routes and better serve existing routes with an aircraft that has the right economics to support our profitable growth strategy. It is also very popular with customers.”
Di Bert also emphasized the significance of supporting the local aerospace sector, adding, “We are pleased to add an additional five of these aircraft, built in Mirabel, Quebec, right up the road from our Montreal headquarters and to further support Canada’s aerospace sector.”
With the addition of the new jets, Air Canada’s total A220 order tally will reach 65. The airline has already received 34 of these aircraft, as per data from ch-aviation.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, commented on the ongoing partnership with Air Canada, stating, “This is Air Canada’s third order for the A220 in a few years. We are committed to working closely with the flag carrier as we support its fleet renewal programme. The A220 is the most efficient aircraft in its size category, offering superior comfort with a spacious cabin and the range to fly numerous destinations on the carrier’s network.”
The Airbus A220, assembled in Mirabel, Quebec, transitioned to Airbus management from its original manufacturer, Bombardier, highlighting the significance of the aircraft within the Canadian aerospace industry.
As of November 2024, Air Canada’s fleet includes a diverse lineup of 134 Airbus aircraft, encompassing the A320 family, the A330 family, and the A220-300 series. Additionally, the airline has committed to 26 A321XLRs, underlining its strategy to modernize and expand its long-haul capabilities.
This third Airbus A220 order underlines Air Canada’s confidence in the aircraft’s economic and operational benefits, reinforcing its future fleet strategy focused on efficiency, customer satisfaction, and market expansion.
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