AirAsia places multi-billion order for 150 Airbus A220-300s

AirAsia has placed a firm order for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, giving the Canadian-built jet its largest single order to date and pushing the program past 1,000 total firm orders. 

Airbus announced the deal at a signing ceremony on May 6, 2026, at its A220 assembly site in Mirabel, Quebec, which was attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney alongside executives from Airbus and AirAsia.   The aircraft will be assembled at the facility north of Montreal, where the A220 program traces its roots to Bombardier’s former C Series. 

The order, valued at about $19 billion at list pricdes, gives Airbus a major new customer for the A220 in Asia and marks a significant win for the Mirabel production line. Carney pointed to the agreement the largest order for a Canadian-designed and produced aircraft in history. 

Malaysia-based AirAsia selected the A220-300, the larger of the two A220 variants. Airbus said the aircraft will support the airline’s future network development by allowing it to open new routes and serve markets that do not require larger narrowbody aircraft. 

AirAsia has built one of Asia’s largest low-cost airline groups around the Airbus A320 family. The A220 order adds a smaller aircraft to its future fleet plan, giving the carrier a jet with lower seating capacity but enough range for regional and medium-haul routes. 

The A220 is designed for the 100- to 150-seat market, though AirAsia will become the launch customer for a new 160-seat cabin layout. That higher-density configuration fits the airline’s low-cost model and gives Airbus another way to position the aircraft with budget carriers. 

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said the A220 will allow the airline to serve new routes and markets that do not work as well with larger aircraft. Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Lars Wagner said the order shows the A220’s global appeal and reinforces Québec’s role in commercial aircraft production. 

Pratt & Whitney said the aircraft will be powered by GTF engines, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. The RTX business will also provide engine maintenance through a 12-year EngineWise Comprehensive service agreement. 

The A220 entered Airbus’ portfolio after the company took control of Bombardier’s C Series program in 2018. Airbus later renamed the aircraft the A220 and has since marketed it as a “right-sized” narrowbody for airlines that need range and efficiency without the capacity of larger Airbus A320-family aircraft. 

The deal also carries political and industrial importance in Canada. Carney’s office said every aircraft in the AirAsia order will be assembled in Mirabel and said the agreement will support thousands of jobs across Canada, from skilled trades to engineering. The post AirAsia places multi-billion order for 150 Airbus A220-300s appeared first on AeroTime.

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