Airbus Canada has reached an agreement with AirAsia to supply a significant order of 150 A220 jets, boosting Quebec’s aviation industry with a multibillion-dollar deal. This marks the largest single firm order for the narrow-body planes, which are manufactured in Mirabel, north of Montreal. The first A220-300 is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2028, according to AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes.
The deal highlights Quebec’s pivotal role in the global aviation sector, following Airbus’s acquisition of the majority of Bombardier’s CSeries program in 2018, rebranding it as the A220. Lars Wagner, who leads Airbus’s commercial aircraft division, emphasized the significance of government support in fostering innovation within the industry.
Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the agreement as a step toward diversifying trade beyond the United States and strengthening ties between Canada and southeast Asian nations. The production of the 150 AirAsia planes will take place exclusively at the Mirabel site, with Airbus aiming to increase production to 13 planes per month by early 2028.
Despite facing production challenges in recent years, Airbus Canada remains optimistic about the program’s future profitability. The Mirabel facility, which now employs close to 5,000 workers, has seen significant growth in its workforce over the past four years, benefiting both the economy and the local labor market.
The announcement of the deal was met with enthusiasm by various stakeholders, with Western University professor Geraint Harvey describing it as “great news” for governments and workers in Quebec. The A220-300, capable of carrying up to 160 passengers on flights of up to 6,700 kilometers, has gained popularity among airlines worldwide, with over 500 deliveries to operators across the globe as of March 30, according to Airbus.
