Overview
- Airbus has begun sounding out airlines and lessors on an A220-500 and plans to open conditional sales talks within weeks, according to industry sources.
- A launch decision could come later this year with a potential announcement at the Farnborough Airshow in July, subject to board approval.
- The proposed jet is a simple fuselage stretch to about 180 seats with reduced range intended for short- to medium-haul routes.
- New commercial chief Lars Wagner publicly backed the concept at the Airline Economics conference in Dublin as the company emphasizes production ramp-up.
- Airbus sees a larger A220 as a way to renegotiate supplier terms and cut per-aircraft costs on a program burdened by slow output, high costs and engine durability questions.