MONTREAL- Airbus is preparing to make what it calls a “historic” announcement for the A220 programme at its Montreal Mirabel (YMX) assembly site on May 6, 2026.
Multiple reports indicate that AirAsia (AK), the Malaysian low-cost carrier, will place a substantial order for up to 150 A220 twinjets, marking a major boost for the narrowbody programme.
Capital A, formerly AirAsia Group, co-founder Tony Fernandes is reportedly travelling to Canada to finalise the agreement. The potential deal revisits AirAsia’s (AK) relationship with the aircraft type, which the airline previously turned down when Bombardier pitched the CSeries programme several years ago.
AirAsia Can Order A220 Jets
Airbus confirmed it will host a customer event at its Mirabel final assembly facility, but did not disclose the airline’s identity.
The airframer described the upcoming announcement as historic for the A220 programme, signalling the scale of the expected commitment.
Malaysia’s New Straits Times reported that Tony Fernandes, who serves as chief executive of Capital A, is heading to Canada to close the deal.
An order of up to 150 A220 aircraft would represent one of the largest single commitments for the type since Airbus took over the programme.
AirAsia currently operates an all-Airbus narrowbody fleet dominated by A320-family aircraft. Adding the A220 would give the airline a smaller, efficient twinjet suited for thinner routes across Southeast Asia, complementing its existing fleet strategy.
From CSeries Rejection to A220 Revival
The A220 traces its origins to the Bombardier CSeries programme. Bombardier had actively pitched the aircraft to AirAsia years before Airbus acquired a majority stake in the programme in 2018.
The Canadian manufacturer offered to develop a high-density version of the larger CSeries variant, the CS300, configured with 160 seats. AirAsia chose not to accept the proposal at the time.
After Airbus rebranded the CS100 and CS300 as the A220-100 and A220-300 respectively, the programme gained commercial momentum under Airbus’s global sales network.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved the A220-300 for a maximum capacity of 149 passengers in 2021, contingent on the installation of a dual-lane overwing slide.
A220 Production Ramp-Up and Programme Outlook
Airbus has been working to increase A220 production rates and achieve profitability on the programme. The airframer targets a monthly production rate of 13 aircraft by 2028. All A220 variants are exclusively powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines.
The manufacturer has repeatedly indicated interest in developing a stretched version of the A220.
However, Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury stated on April 28 that conditions for a launch were “not yet there” and that the company was “not close” to committing to such a project.
A large order from AirAsia could strengthen the business case for further A220 development and accelerate the programme’s path to profitability.
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