AirAsia has signed a $19 billion agreement to purchase 150 Canadian-built Airbus A220-300 jets, according to a joint statement from the companies. <\/p>\n
The low-cost carrier said on Thursday that it also has the option to double the order to meet future demand growth, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing AFP<\/a>.<\/p>\n The deal was announced at the aircraft manufacturer\u2019s facility in Mirabel, Canada, and is described as the largest aircraft order in the country\u2019s history.<\/p>\n AirAsia<\/a> co-founder Tony Fernandes called the agreement \u201cthe perfect tool for our next phase of growth,\u201d adding that it reflects \u201clong-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n The airline stated that the agreement includes \u201cstrategic flexibility\u201d to increase the commitment to as many as 300 aircraft from the A220 family in response to future market demand.<\/p>\n Airbus Wagner further stated that AirAsia will serve as the \u201cglobal launch customer\u201d for a new 160-seat configuration of the A220 aircraft family.<\/p>\n Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the signing ceremony and emphasized the domestic economic impact of the deal. He said the 150 aircraft will be constructed by Canadian workers in Canadian manufacturing facilities.<\/p>\n \u201cFor 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,\u201d Carney said.<\/p>\n Canada remains the only country outside Europe to host a major Airbus production program, specifically for the A220 aircraft family.<\/p>\n
Commercial Aircraft CEO Lars Wagner said the A220 will \u201copen up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before.\u201d He also noted that once deliveries begin in 2028, the new fleet will allow AirAsia to reassign larger aircraft to long-haul routes serving North America, Australia, and Europe.<\/p>\n