Qantas expects to take delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft within a few weeks, the airline has confirmed.
Forming a key part of the Australian flag carrier’s domestic fleet revamp, the airline currently has 29 of the type on order.
Having entered production back in July 2023, the first aircraft is expected to begin its flight test program at Airbus’ production plant in Mirabel, Canada, shortly.
Once delivered, the first aircraft will enter service with QantasLink, the regional subsidiary of the parent carrier. It will be initially deployed on the Canberra (CBR) to Melbourne (MEL) trunk route once it has received the necessary regulatory approvals and has been used for airport readiness checks and staff training.
The new Airbus A220 fleet will replace QantasLink’s fleet of ageing Boeing 717 twinjets. The final flights to be operated by the Boeing 717 are slated for July 2024 as more of the new type are delivered.
In all, seven A220s are due to be operating for QantasLink by July 2024, with all 29 aircraft of the order due to be delivered by 2027.
Specifically designed for the 100-150 seat category, the Airbus A220 has a range of up to 3,450 nautical miles. The type is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney GTF turbofans, which are certified to use 50% blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Confirming the imminent arrival of the airline’s first aircraft, Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO, said: “By Christmas, our first Airbus A220 will arrive for Qantas Link. The A220 is an aircraft with the ability to fly between any two ports in Australia, burn 20% less fuel and make 50% less noise.”
The new A220s will not just be limited to flying within Australia, however. The new type is also being earmarked for some short-range international flights to destinations in New Zealand and Asia, where the cost-efficient newcomer has the potential to open up new markets for the carrier.
Specifically designed for the 100-150 seat category, the Airbus A220 has a range of up to 3,450 nautical miles. The type is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney GTF turbofans, which are certified to use 50% blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Confirming the imminent arrival of the airline’s first aircraft, Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO, said: “By Christmas, our first Airbus A220 will arrive for Qantas Link. The A220 is an aircraft with the ability to fly between any two ports in Australia, burn 20% less fuel and make 50% less noise.”
More to come from Airbus
Alongside the incoming fleet of A220s, Qantas is expecting many more deliveries from Airbus in the coming years as it completes a total revamp of its aircraft fleet.
The airline also has an outstanding order for up to 25 narrowbody Airbus A321XLR twinjets and 12 ultra-long range A350-1000 widebodies. The latter are to be deployed on the airline’s non-stop routes linking Sydney (SYD) to London-Heathrow and New York (JFK), although firm start dates of these services are yet to be announced.