Air Canada and Lufthansa Order 10 New Airbus Jets

Air Canada and Lufthansa Make Significant Orders with Airbus: A220 and A350-1000 Aircraft

Toulouse, December 20, 2024 – Airbus has secured a notable follow-up order from Air Canada for five A220-300 aircraft and an additional order from Lufthansa for an A350-1000. These latest acquisitions underscore the airlines’ commitment to modernizing their fleets with efficient, state-of-the-art aircraft.

This marks Air Canada’s third order for the A220, while Lufthansa’s order is their second for the A350-1000, further solidifying their partnerships with Airbus.

Air Canada Strengthens A220 Commitment

Air Canada has reaffirmed its dedication to the Airbus A220 program by placing an order for five more A220-300 aircraft. This announcement coincides with the five-year anniversary of the airline’s first A220 delivery in December 2019.

• Total A220 Commitment: With this latest order, Air Canada has now committed to a total of 65 A220-300 aircraft. This follows the airline’s initial order of 45 units in 2016, which was expanded by 15 additional aircraft in 2022.

John Di Bert, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the A220’s performance: “The A220 has delivered on its promises for Air Canada in its five years in service. It has allowed us to open new routes and better serve existing ones, supporting our profitable growth strategy.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, highlighted the importance of this order: “We are committed to working closely with Air Canada to support its fleet renewal program. The A220 is the most efficient aircraft in its size category, offering superior comfort and range.”

Air Canada: A Leader in A220 Operations

Air Canada became North America’s first operator of the A220-300 in January 2020. Since then, the airline has expanded its network to over 70 destinations using the aircraft.

• Performance and Efficiency: The A220 can accommodate 100 to 150 passengers and operates across distances of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km). Its Pratt & Whitney GTF engines provide a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Currently, the A220 is capable of operating with up to 50% SAF, with Airbus aiming for 100% SAF compatibility across its fleet by 2030.

Air Canada operates a diverse Airbus fleet, comprising 134 aircraft, including models from the A320 Family and A330 Family, in addition to the A220-300. The airline has also placed an order for 26 A321XLRs to further enhance its fleet.

Lufthansa Expands A350-1000 Order

Lufthansa Group has announced an increase in its A350-1000 aircraft order from ten to fifteen units, with deliveries set to take place between 2028 and 2030.

• Investment Overview: This expansion represents an investment of approximately $2 billion at list prices, positioning Lufthansa Group as one of the largest A350 customers globally. The airline’s existing fleet includes 60 A350-900s and now 15 A350-1000s.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, stated, “This order underscores our confidence in our long-standing partnership with Airbus. We are investing to make air travel more sustainable while offering our customers the highest level of comfort.”

Lufthansa’s ongoing modernization efforts are evident, as this latest order is part of a broader strategy to enhance its fleet. With a total of 770 aircraft ordered from Airbus throughout its history, Lufthansa is proud to be Airbus’ largest customer worldwide.

Conclusion

The recent orders from Air Canada and Lufthansa reflect a significant commitment to fleet modernization and sustainability in aviation. Both airlines are poised to enhance their operational efficiency while providing superior service to their customers.

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