Airbus A220 embarks on demonstration tour across Asia

An Airbus A220-300 flight test aircraft will visit six Asian destinations as part of a demonstration tour across the region. After a stopover at Seoul’s Incheon Airport the aircraft heads to Yangon (Myanmar), the first location of the demonstration tour. The aircraft will then visit Hanoi (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) before heading north to Nagoya (Japan).

The A220 is the most modern aircraft in the 100-150 seat market. It delivers unbeatable efficiency and passenger comfort in its size category, with 20 percent lower fuel consumption than previous generation aircraft. The A220 being used for the demonstration tour in Asia is an Airbus flight test aircraft fitted with a typical single class passenger cabin.

During the A220 demonstration tour, customers and media will be offered a close up view of the aircraft’s outstanding characteristics, comfort and performance that benefit both operators and passengers alike.

The A220 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and true widebody comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With a range of up to 3,400 nm (6,300 km), the A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan Engine for Airbus A220 Achieves FAA ETOPS Certification

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 16, 2018/PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced its PW1500G engine has been granted 180 minute Extended Range Operations (ETOPS) certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ETOPS certification sets the maximum allowed amount of single-engine flying time that an aircraft can be from the nearest suitable airport. Pratt & Whitney's PW1500G engine exclusively powers the Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft fleet.

"It's with a great sense of pride that we achieved this significant milestone," said Tom Pelland, senior vice president of commercial engine programs at Pratt & Whitney. "We are proud to power over 30 A220 aircraft in service today and, with this latest ETOPS certification, look forward to continuing to watch our customers expand their route networks with extended range capabilities. Congratulations to the Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier and Airbus teams who have worked diligently to make engine ETOPS certification a reality for the program."

To date, the GTF-powered Airbus A220 fleet has flown nearly 150,000 engine flight hours with three operators, traveling to 145 destinations. The GTF engines continue to meet performance benefits including up to 20% lower fuel consumption, 50% reduction in NOx emissions to the regulatory standard, and 75% reduction in noise footprint. 

Airbus introduces the A220-100 and A220-300

Québec-born aircraft join the Airbus family 

Airbus has revealed the A220 at a ceremony held at its Henri-Ziegler Delivery Centre, near Toulouse. Witnessed by Airbus employees and members of the global news media, the A220-300 landed directly from the painting at 12:25 am CEST wearing its new Airbus name and colours. 

The A220 family comprises two models, the A220-100 and A220-300, formerly Bombardier Inc.’s C Series (CS100 and CS300). The aircraft are fully optimized for the 100 to 150 seat market and perfectly complement Airbus’ existing best-selling A320neo family. 

“Everyone at Airbus has been looking forward to this historic moment. Today, we are thrilled to welcome the A220 to the Airbus family and are honoured to see it wearing its new Airbus colours for the first time,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus President Commercial Aircraft, “I pay tribute to all the women and men at Bombardier and the supply chain who have strived over the past years to bring this fantastic aircraft to the world. The A220 now enters a new phase in its career with all Airbus’ ressources behind it to further its commercial success worldwide." 

Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officier, added: “We are enthusiastic about selling the A220 thanks in particular to its technology which gives it a decisive edge in a very competitive market. I have received a lot of positive feedback from customers regarding the aircraft’s outstanding passenger experience, its lower fuel burn, lower weight and quieter engines. All these reasons contribute to my optimism that Airbus will support to make the A220 a great commercial success."