Australia’s Qantas Group has finalised an incremental order for nine Airbus A220-300 domestic and short-haul regional aircraft, bringing its total backlog for the type to 29 aircraft.
The A220 was originally selected by Qantas as part of a major fleet replacement programme announced in May 2022, which also included orders for the A321XLR and A350-1000.
Qantas will take delivery of its first A220 at the end of this year and will operate the type primarily on its extensive domestic route network.
Combining latest generation technologies and a wider, quieter cabin, the A220 can fly further than other aircraft in its size category, while also bringing a step-change reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.
The A220s will mostly replace Boeing 737-800 aircraft at oneworld member Qantas.
Qantas is currently also shopping for replacement aircraft for its more than 20 A330 aircraft which do the bulk of its Asia-Pacific flying.
The Australian carrier already has A350-1000 aircraft on order from Airbus for its Project Sunrise nonstop flights to the United States.
“We are pleased to announce this incremental order from Qantas. Best in class, the A220 will be the perfect platform for a domestic network that includes everything from short hops to flights of five hours and beyond. Combining efficiency, comfort and longer range, the A220 will also contribute from Day 1 to the carrier’s far-reaching Climate Action Plan,” commented Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International.
The A220 is designed for the 100 -150 seat segment; it can fly up to 3,450 nautical miles/6,400 kilometres. At Qantas, the A220 is expected to feature a dual-class configuration with a small business class cabin upfront.
Airbus has received close to 800 orders from 30 customers for the A220, of which 265 have been delivered. The A220 is already in service with 16 airlines worldwide.
