AirAsia. Photo: HU Art and Photography / Shutterstock.com Malaysia's low-cost carrier, founded in 2001, Asia Air, has recently ordered 150 latest-generation A220-300 aircraft, marking the "largest single firm order placed for the A220 and propels the programme beyond the 1,000 firm order milestone, underscoring the aircraft's global market appeal".
The deal was made public during a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, in the presence of Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Advisor to AirAsia Group, Airbus' Chief Executive Officer Commercial Aircraft, Lars Wagner, as well as Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Quebec's Premier, Christine Frechette.
Airbus. Photo: Sergey Kohl / Shutterstock.comOn the occasion, the Canadian PM issued a statement, saying: "The agreement between Airbus and AirAsia is the largest order of Canadian aircraft in history. 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 to more opportunities, more destinations, or more time with friends and loved ones.”
The agreement made AirAsia a new customer for the A220, and the airline also became "the launch customer for the aircraft's new cabin configuration of 160 seats" following a 10-seat increase from the addition of extra overwing exits on both sides of the aircraft.
The A220 will service a variety of destinations across ASEAN and into Central Asia.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to Air Asia Group: “We have built AirAsia by making bold decisions at the right moment, not the easiest moment. This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions. The A220 unlocks new markets and routes and brings us closer to building the world's first true low-cost network carrier."
“Our partnership with Airbus spans more than two decades and has been central to everything we have achieved. Today is another milestone in that journey, and there are many more to come.”
Airbus CEO Commercial Aircraft Lars Wagner: “The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the range that will enable the carrier to open new routes across Asia and beyond
Thanks to its mix of "longest range, lowest fuel consumption and widest cabin in its class", the A220, which can operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is the most modern airliner in its size category. The aircraft can carry 100-160 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km).
At the end of March 2026, Airbus had delivered 501 A220s to 25 operators spread all across the globe.