Air Canada has converted options for 15 Airbus
A220-300 aircraft into firm orders, bringing the total number of
the Canadian-built aircraft it will acquire for its fleet to 60.
Air Canada placed its initial order for the A220,
then known as the Bombardier C Series, in 2016 with a firm order
for 45 aircraft and 30 options.
The airline’s first A220 entered service in
January 2020. Today, the flag carrier operates a fleet of 31
A220s, with two more deliveries expected in 2022.
Six more A220s will be
delivered in 2024 and again in 2025, with the 15 additional
aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026.
All of Air Canada’s A220s
are built in Mirabel where Airbus currently provides work to more
than 2,500 people at its A220 headquarters and manufacturing
facilities, with this figure expected to grow to over 3,000 people
in the near future.
“This expanded order for the A220, built up the
road from our Montreal headquarters, is an important development
in the modernization of our fleet and a clear indication that we
are emerging from the pandemic solidly positioned for the future.
The A220 has become a mainstay of our narrowbody fleet, and its
performance and passenger comfort are enabling us to compete
effectively in the North American market,” said Michael Rousseau,
President and Chief Executive of Air Canada. “We are also proud to
support the Canadian aerospace industry. This increased order will
support jobs at Airbus’ Mirabel factory and affirms Air Canada’s
positive economic impact in Montreal, Quebec and throughout
Canada.”
The fuel-efficient A220 is playing an
important role in Air Canada meeting its commitment to reach its
goal of net zero emissions from all global operations by 2050.
The aircraft
yields a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption per seat, as
well as a 25 per cent reduction in CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions
compared to previous generation of aircraft. In addition, NOx (nitrogen
oxides) emissions are 50 per cent below CAEP/6 standards and the
A220 also delivers a 50% reduction in noise footprint than
previous generation aircraft.
“This third re-order for the A220 in 2022 confirms
the strong confidence that airlines worldwide have for this
game-changing aircraft,” said Benoît Schultz, CEO, Airbus Canada
and Head of country Canada for Airbus. “With already over 30
aircraft in service in the country, this Canadian-designed and
built aircraft has positively contributed to opening new routes as
well as to making strides in reaching ambitious environmental
goals for Air Canada – thanks to its unmatched efficiency.”
There are currently 6 A220s produced each month
and 14 A220s are expected to be produced monthly as the programme
ramps up to reach its maximum production capacity
in the middle of the decade.
The A220-300, which seats 137 passengers in a
Business and Economy configuration, has accumulated nearly 120,000
flying hours for Air Canada since entering service.
