Qantas finalises order for 9 more Airbus A220s in Paris

Qantas has finalised an order for nine more A220-300s, taking its confirmed purchase to 29. The Flying Kangaroo had announced its intention to take delivery of the extra narrowbodies in February but rubber-stamped the decision with Airbus at the Paris Air Show. Qantas is in the middle of a huge fleet renewal program that will see it completely overall most of its domestic aircraft, largely replacing its ageing Boeing 737s and 717s with next-generation aircraft. It also has a firm order placed for 20 of the longer-range A321XLRs and significantly has the potential to purchase 85 more Airbus aircraft in total through to 2034. CEO Alan Joyce last year said the A220 and A320s would become the “backbone” of Qantas’ domestic fleet for the next 20 years. “Their range and economics will make new direct routes possible, including serving regional cities better,” he said. Joyce added these new aircraft and engines would reduce emissions by at least 15% if running on traditional fossil fuels and even more so if using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAFs).<br/>