Air Canada (AC, Montréal Trudeau) has firmed up options with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for fifteen A220-300s, increasing its total commitment for the type to 60 aircraft.
"This expanded order for the A220, built up the road from our Montreal headquarters, is an important development in the modernization of our fleet and a clear indication that we are emerging from the pandemic solidly positioned for the future. The A220 has become a mainstay of our narrowbody fleet, and its performance and passenger comfort are enabling us to compete effectively in the North American market," President and Chief Executive Michael Rousseau said.
The Canadian carrier initially ordered forty-five A220-300s with 30 options in 2016. It has so far taken 31 aircraft and plans to add a further two by the end of 2022. Six aircraft are scheduled to deliver in 2023, and a further six in 2024. The 15 newly converted options are all for delivery in 2026. The airline retains a further 15 unconverted options.
Air Canada is currently the second-largest operator of the A220-300 in the world, following airBaltic. However, JetBlue Airways, Breeze Airways, and Delta Air Lines have larger overall order books.