Airbus and the government of Canadian province Quebec have agreed to invest $1.2 billion in Airbus Canada to support an acceleration of the A220 production rate. 

Airbus purchased and subsequently took over the CSeries program from Bombardier in 2018, and the aircraft was rebranded as the A220. Mirabel, Quebec is the site of one of two final assembly lines for the aircraft in North America. The A220 is also assembled at Airbus’ facility in Mobile, Alabama. 

Quebec has agreed to invest $300 million while Airbus will invest $900 million, which is in line with the previous forecasts in the airframer’s business plan. Quebec Premier Francois Legualt noted the deal would protect 2,500 jobs. 

The agreement between Airbus and Quebec, announced Feb. 4, also extends the date in which Airbus can buy-back Quebec’s share of the program from 2026 to 2030. Quebec’s government holds a 25% share in the program.

In May 2021, Airbus stated it was producing roughly five A220s per month between Mirabel and Mobile. Its target was to grow to six per month in early 2022, and 14 by the middle of the decade. 

“The A220 has a strong order book, with nearly 500 aircraft to be delivered over the next few years,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. “As the majority shareholder of the program, Airbus continues to invest in the partnership and Quebec to accelerate the monthly production rate of the A220 aircraft to ensure the anticipated success of the program in the middle of the decade.”