Air Asia orders 150 A220‑300s as Airbus eyes European demand for stretched A220‑500

Air Asia placed an order for 150 Airbus A220‑300 aircraft configured with 160 seats in May, while Airbus President Johan Pelissier said that 30 to 40 percent of European sales campaigns could be interested in the A220‑300 variant, which is slated for certification in 2028.

Pelissier also noted market demand for a stretched version, temporarily called the A220‑500, but said a launch decision will come later; Tony Fernandes said the airline really wants the 185‑seat A220‑500, and Air France‑KLM, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada and Lufthansa have expressed interest in that model. Turkish Airlines, a strategic Airbus customer, operates all Airbus types except the A220, and Air Baltic’s Chapter 11 restructuring freed delivery slots that have been reassigned to other carriers.