"Paris Air Show". Qantas finalises order for nine A-220 airplanes
Philippine Airlines for nine A-350/1000s
Australia’s Qantas Group has finalised an incremental order for nine A-220/300s, bringing its total backlog for the single aisle type to 29 aircraft. The A-220 was originally selected by Qantas as part of a major fleet replacement programme announced in May 2022, which also included orders for the A-321XLR and A-350/1000. The carrier had announced its intention to order the additional A-220s in February this year.
The carrier will take delivery of its first A-220 at the end of this year and will operate the type primarily on its extensive domestic route network.
The airplane is powered by the latest generation Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A-220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with 100% SAF by 2030.
Airbus has received close to 800 orders from 30 customers for the A-220, of which 265 have been delivered. The model is already in service with 16 airlines worldwide.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of nine A-350/1000 long range aircraft. The agreement was signed during the "Paris Air Show" (June 19-25).
The model has been selected under the Philippine carrier’s Ultra Long Haul Fleet project and will fly on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada. The new aircraft will join two A-350/900s already in service at the airline.
PAL’s A-350/1000 fleet will be able to accommodate 380 passengers in a three class layout.
At the end of May 2023, the A-350 Family had won 967 firm orders from 54 customers worldwide, with 535 aircraft currently in the fleets of 40 operators, flying primarily on long haul routes.
AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency