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Airbus adds A220 Family to product portfolio
July 13th 2018
Airbus has formally added the A220-100 and A220-300, previously known as the Bombardier CS100 and CS300, to its product line-up. Read More »
The airframer revealed the A220 featuring the new Airbus name and colours at a ceremony held at its Toulouse headquarters on Tuesday.
“Everyone at Airbus has been looking forward to this historic moment. Today, we are thrilled to welcome the A220 to the Airbus family and are honoured to see it wearing its new Airbus colours for the first time,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft president, Guillaume Faury. “I pay tribute to all the women and men at Bombardier and the supply chain who have strived over the past years to bring this fantastic aircraft to the world. The A220 now enters a new phase in its career with all Airbus’ resources behind it to further its commercial success worldwide,” Faury added.
On July 1, Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec confirmed the closing of the previously announced C Series transaction. Airbus now owns a 50.01% majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), while Bombardier and Investissement Québec own approximately 34% and 16%, respectively.
The OEM lists the A220-100 as typically seating 120 passengers over a range of 3,100nm. The A220-300 is listed as seating 130-140 passengers over a range of 3,300nm.
The A220 will compete against the Embraer E2 jet series. Airbus claims the A220-100 and A220-300 will have 13% lower seat mile cost vis-à-vis the E190-E2 and E195-E2, respectively. Embraer disputes this, saying its aircraft are more efficient than the A220 Family series.
Boeing and Embraer last week announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership. The non-binding agreement proposes the formation of a joint venture (JV) comprising the commercial aircraft and services business of Embraer that would strategically align with Boeing's commercial development, production, marketing and lifecycle services operations. Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing will hold an 80% stake in the JV. Embraer will hold the remainder.
The single aisle market is a key growth driver in the Asia-Pacific and represents 70% of the expected global future demand for aircraft. Ranging from 100 to 150 seats, the C Series is highly complementary to Airbus’ existing single aisle A320 Family, which ranges from 150-240 seats.
Unlike other Airbus programmes, the A220 series will have a dedicated head of sales, David Dufrenois.
In the Asia-Pacific, C Series take-up has been slow. Australia’s Macquarie AirFinance has 40 A220-300s in its books, Al Qahtani Aviation Company ordered 16 -300s for SaudiGulf Airlines and Korean Air has bought 10 -300s. Gulf Air also ordered 10 -300s, but this week confirmed it had cancelled that order.
Operators in the region have placed significantly more orders for Embraer regional jets and the C919 produced by Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC). In June, China’s HNA Group signed a deal for 300 COMAC jets.
The C Series programme continues to ramp up. Having delivered 17 aircraft in 2017, Airbus and Bombardier aim to double deliveries in 2018. In the Asia-Pacific, Korean Air, to date, has accepted six A220-300s.
“We are enthusiastic about selling the A220 thanks in particular to its technology which gives it a decisive edge in a very competitive market. I have received a lot of positive feedback from customers regarding the aircraft’s outstanding passenger experience, its lower fuel burn, lower weight and quieter engines. All these reasons contribute to my optimism that Airbus will support to make the A220 a great commercial success,” said Airbus CCO, Eric Schulz.
Coinciding with the rebranding event in Toulouse, Airbus announced an order from U.S. carrier JetBlue for 60 A220-300s. Also, the airline converted 25 of its A320neo orders into orders for the larger A321neo. JetBlue’s A321neos and A220s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.
“We are evolving our fleet for the future of JetBlue, and the A220-300’s impressive range and economics offer us flexibility and support our key financial and operating priorities,” said JetBlue CEO, Robin Hayes. “As JetBlue approaches our 20th anniversary, the A220, combined with our A321 and restyled A320 fleet, will help ensure we deliver the best on-board experience to customers and meet our long-term financial targets as we continue disciplined growth into the future.”
