Qantas has unveiled images of its first Airbus A220 aircraft being assembled and is now giving aviation fans the opportunity to name the aircraft.
The Australian airline said that the major airframe components of it first A220 aircraft “including the centre and rear fuselage, are coming together at Airbus’ production facility in Mirabel, Canada”. The airline added that the first of 29 aircraft is expected to arrive in Australia “before the end of the year”.
Since it will be the first aircraft of the type to be registered and operated in the country, the airline said it “will undergo regulatory approvals, airport readiness and training activities before it joins the QantasLink fleet in early 2024”.
QantasLink also began training its pilots to operate the ex-Bombardier CSeries jets, with the incoming aircraft replacing the aging Boeing 717s as part of the Project Winton fleet renewal program. In total, Qantas will take delivery of 299 new aircraft during the program to replace and grow its single-aisle fleet of aircraft.
“This significant investment will see the Group take delivery of a new aircraft every three weeks on average for the next few years,” the Australian carrier said.
A total of seven Airbus A220s will arrive by the end of 2024, with the remaining 22 to be delivered by 2027.
From July 12, 2023, the airline said that “Australians can nominate up to six names via a dedicated page” on its website. Qantas will then release a shortlist for public vote before the final names are revealed. The names will be centered around the theme of ‘native wildlife’.
In 2017, Qantas received more than 10,000 submissions to name its Boeing 787 aircraft fleet.
Qantas’ fleet of 13 787s were given names such as ‘Quokka’, ‘Skippy’, ‘Boomerang’, and ‘Mateship’, among others associated with Australian references.
“The A220 represents the next generation in our domestic fleet in terms of passenger comfort, aircraft range and opportunities for our people, so seeing the first aircraft starting to take shape is incredibly exciting,” said John Gissing, the chief executive officer (CEO) of QantasLink.
According to Gissing, throughout the airline’s history, it has always “celebrated what’s special about Australia, from its places, and pioneers to its natural wonders”.
“Continuing that tradition, we’re naming our A220 fleet after Australia’s unique and rare wildlife,” added he.
During the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Qantas finalized an order for nine Airbus A220 aircraft, adding the deal to the 20 orders it had with Airbus previously.