Air Canada and Azorra have taken interest in the stretched Airbus A220 aircraft as a lower-cost alternative to the A320neo. This is a big strategic decision, as there is a risk of it displacing the demand for the A320neo aircraft.
Stretched Airbus A220
The Airbus A220 stretch, commonly referred to as the A220-500, is a highly anticipated, larger variant of the current A220 family that is moving from conceptual studies toward potential development and launch in 2027. The “stretch aircraft” involves lengthening the fuselage to accommodate up to 180 passengers, roughly 20-25 seats more than the current A220-300.
Airbus aims to keep the development cost-effective by using the same wings, engine type, and main systems as the current -300 variant, aiming for a “simple stretch” rather than a redesign. Key customers such as Air France, Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa have been pushing Airbus to launch the A220 stretch due to the added seat capacity.
Air Canada chief financial officer John Di Bert has publicly stated the A220-500 is “very interesting” and a “good aircraft”, urging a launch. The Farnborough International Airshow, which will take place in July, has been speculated as the target for a launch announcement.
Air Canada’s Interest
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada, providing scheduled passenger and cargo transport to over 200 destinations worldwide. The airline operates 42 A220s with over 20 more on order, making them a natural candidate for the larger variant. A larger variant of aircraft would allow the airline to leverage existing pilot and maintenance commonality while also carrying more passengers on high-demand routes.
The CFO John Di Bert also pointed out that the A220-300 aircraft fits the Canadian market particularly well, as it can cover its large geography in spite of its relatively small size.
Azorra’s Interest
Azorra, a major aircraft lessor and 12-time Airbus A220-300 owner, is a strong proponent of a stretched A220 variant.
Azorra president, Ron Baur, stated:
“I am a big believer in stretches. They have really good economics,” Baur said. “A stretched A220 would compromise range, but if the range is good enough it could be a really effective aircraft. It will never replace the A320 or the [Boeing] MAX 8; it will complement them.”
Baur views the A220-500 as a complement to the A320neo or Boeing 737 MAX 8, rather than a direct replacement, with strong efficiency that would be effective for medium-haul routes. Azorra also advocates for a “simple stretch” approach, even if it results in a lower maximum range compared to the A320neo, believing the economics would remain highly attractive for operators.
For a lessor focusing on smaller narrowbodies, the A220-500 offers an opportunity to broaden its portfolio to include larger-capacity aircraft while keeping within the efficient A220 family.
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