AirAsia signs $19bn deal for 150 Airbus A220 jets

Southeast Asia’s AirAsia signed a $19 billion deal to buy 150 Canadian-made Airbus A220-300 jets, the two companies said, with the low-cost carrier adding Thursday that it could double the order to meet future demand.

The deal, announced at the plane-maker’s facility in Mirabel, Canada, represents the biggest order in that country’s history, with AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes calling it in a statement “the perfect tool for our next phase of growth”.

“This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions.”

Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carrier said the agreement had “the strategic flexibility to upsize the commitment to 300 of the A220 Aircraft Family to meet future demand”.

Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Lars Wagner said the A220 planes will “open up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before”.

Once the new fleet is delivered in 2028, it will also free up larger aircraft to focus on long-haul routes to North America, Australia and Europe, he said.

With the order, AirAsia is the “global launch customer” for the A220’s new 160-seat configuration, added Wagner.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was also at the ceremony, said “the 150 aircraft will be built by Canadian workers on Canadian factory floors.

“For thousands of engineers, electricians, steel welders, and IT specialists, it will mean high-paying and exciting work to build a remarkable aircraft that connects millions of people around the world,” he said.

Canada is the only country outside of Europe to host a major Airbus programme, with the building of the A220 family.