Qantas Group Expands Fleet with Inaugural Airbus A220-300 Delivery

Qantas has officially received its first Airbus A220-300 from Airbus Canada at Montréal Mirabel. The delivery event signifies the commencement of a comprehensive fleet enhancement plan for the Qantas Group, with subsidiary Cobham Aviation Services Australia – Airline Services designated as the primary operator.

VH-X4A is scheduled for deployment on the Melbourne Tullamarine – Canberra route, a key regional connection. This initial delivery is part of a broader order of 29 A220-300 aircraft intended for regional services under the QantasLink brand. The A220s are strategically positioned to replace National Jet Systems’ existing fleet of fourteen Boeing 717-200s, offering enhanced operational efficiency and enabling network expansion opportunities.

Qantas Group’s decision to acquire A220-300s, along with an order for twenty A321-200NY(XLR) aircraft, reflects a forward-looking approach to domestic fleet renewal. The new aircraft types are poised to play a pivotal role in Qantas’ operations, providing increased range and economic advantages that will facilitate the introduction of new direct routes.

Former Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, under whose leadership the A220 order was initiated, emphasized the significance of the A220s and A321s as the backbone of the carrier’s domestic fleet modernization initiative over the next two decades. He anticipates that their capabilities will not only replace existing aircraft but also open up possibilities for additional direct routes.

With an extensive fleet renewal program that includes almost 300 aircraft on order, covering Qantas, QantasLink, Qantas Freight, and Jetstar Airways, the Qantas Group aims to optimize its operational efficiency and enhance passenger experience across its diverse network.