Airlines airBaltic orders 10 additional Airbus A220-300s

The currently largest Airbus A220 operator in Europe, airBaltic, has announced that it seeks to add another 10 of the aircraft type into its fleet. It is the fourth reorder by the airline which will take the airline’s total firm order number to 90. airBaltic is already operating with 50 A220-300s and the largest operator of that subvariant in the world.

With the larger A220-300, airBaltic wants to expand its seat capacity and route offerings to its customers. Furthermore, the economics of the aircraft allow airBaltic to explore new markets and new destinations from and to Europe.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, explained: “For the first time in the company’s history, airBaltic plans to operate a fleet of close to 100 A220-300 aircraft, and these exercised options are the next step in the right direction. Over the years, this aircraft type has proven its operational capabilities and value – it has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic. By exercising these options, we are strengthening our unwavering support and trust in the A220 Programme and are looking forward to our fleet expansion over the upcoming years.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business, added: “We are honored and thankful that airBaltic is placing its fourth follow-up order. This latest agreement from Latvia’s flag carrier is a strong endorsement of  the superior value and operational opportunities offered by this latest generation aircraft. The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a spacious cabin driving the best Net Promoter Scores with passengers wherever it is operated, and the range capability to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s current network and beyond.”

The Airbus A220 Family consists of the smaller A220-100 and the larger A220-300. The aircraft seat between 120 and 150 passengers on flights up to 3600 nautical miles. More than 900 aircraft from 30 customers around the globe have been ordered with manufacturer Airbus, who aquired the aircraft programme from Canadaian manufacturer Bombardier.