Air Canada and Lufthansa Expand Airbus Fleets with Major Orders

3 months ago Editor

Air Canada has placed an order for five additional Airbus A220s, increasing its fleet of the aircraft to 65. Meanwhile, Lufthansa has boosted its order for A350-1000 jets, increasing its total by five to 15. Both airlines are investing in new aircraft to modernize their fleets and enhance sustainability.

Air Canada has further cemented its commitment to the Airbus A220 program by adding five more A220-300 aircraft to its order, bringing its total to 65 units. This comes as the airline celebrates five years of A220 service, having first taken delivery of the aircraft in December 2019. Air Canada’s latest order adds to its strategic fleet expansion, which began with a major 45-aircraft deal in 2016 and was followed by an additional 15 in 2022.

John Di Bert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Air Canada, highlighted the A220’s success, noting the aircraft’s role in opening new routes and supporting profitable growth with its efficiency and customer appeal. With its production taking place in Mirabel, Quebec, the A220 also supports the Canadian aerospace sector.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Lufthansa has announced an expansion of its A350-1000 order, increasing its commitment from ten to 15 aircraft. This expansion is part of the airline’s fleet modernization efforts and a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing passenger comfort. The A350-1000, offering a 15% increase in capacity over the A350-900, will bolster Lufthansa’s long-haul capabilities with deliveries set for 2028 through 2030.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, expressed confidence in the partnership with Airbus, emphasizing the significant investment in sustainability and customer experience. Lufthansa is now poised to operate one of the largest A350 fleets globally, with 60 A350-900s and 15 A350-1000s, reinforcing its commitment to modernizing its fleet.

These new orders reflect both airlines’ strategies to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, paving the way for a more environmentally-friendly aviation future.