Higher Density A220-300 Sparks Airline Interest

BELFAST, Northern Ireland—Following AirAsia’s order in May for 160-seat Airbus A220-300s, several European airlines have voiced interest in the higher density layout, which is set for certification in 2028.  

“I would say 30-40% of the campaigns I'm following in the European region may be interested in the 160 seats,” Airbus Europe region president and head of commercial Europe Johan Pelissier told ATW on the sidelines of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) general assembly in Belfast. 

In May, AirAsia placed an order for 150 A220s with 160 seats. The extra 10 seats are made possible by a second overwing exit on each side of the aircraft to comply with emergency evacuation rules. Certification, through Transport Canada, is planned for 2028.

Capital A CEO and AirAsia adviser Tony Fernandes previously said a stretch version of the A220—tentatively dubbed the A220-500—with 185 seats is “the aircraft we really want.” Several other airlines would like Airbus to develop the -500, including Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada and Lufthansa.

“We see the market demand [for the stretch version],” Pelissier said. “First, we’ll focus on the -100 and -300 ramp up, and then we will decide when and if we will launch it. But it's more a question of when.”

Airbus wants to increase A220 production to 13 A220s a month by 2028. In August, Airbus also announced a 6,221-m² expansion of its A220 wing facility here in Belfast, which is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028. Airbus delivered 75 A220s in 2024 and 93 in 2025. The backlog comprises around 1,000 A220-300s and 100 A220-100s.

AirBaltic’s Chapter 11 restructuring has freed up some short-term A220 delivery slots. Pelissier said the Latvian carrier’s 40-aircraft orderbook was already restructured before the Chapter 11 filing, and the slots have been reallocated to other airlines. “This backlog of 40 has been pushed to the end of our backlog,” he said.

Beyond this, Pelissier has seen strong sales momentum for the A220 this year, with interest from both existing and new operators. One campaign he is following closely is Turkish Airlines.

“For us, it's a very strategic one. They [Turkish Airlines] are operating all our aircraft, except [A220s] because they don't have yet any regional or small single-aisle aircraft,” Pelissier said.

Finally, engine durability is continuing to improve following the Pratt & Whitney Canada powder metal issues, which caused aircraft groundings among existing operators. “We have seen a lot of improvement,” he said. “Next year, we shall have no more AOGs [aircraft on the ground] due to engine lack of spares.”