AirAsia Orders 150 A220 Jets from Airbus Canada

MIRABEL, Quebec — Airbus Canada announced Wednesday a landmark agreement to supply Malaysia's AirAsia with 150 A220 narrowbody jets, marking the largest single firm order for the Canadian-made aircraft in the manufacturer's history.

The multibillion-dollar deal, revealed at the Airbus assembly plant north of Montreal, represents a significant win for Quebec's aviation sector. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the event, highlighting the federal government's efforts to expand trade ties with Southeast Asia amid ongoing diversification from the United States. "The agreement strengthens links between Canada and southeast Asian countries," Carney said, recalling a meeting last fall with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes in Kuala Lumpur. He added, "Thank you for the trust you're placing in Canadian workers, in Quebec, in Mirabel. You're choosing the best at exactly the right time."

Lars Wagner, head of Airbus's commercial aircraft division, described the order as affirmation of Quebec's status as a key global aviation hub. The A220, originally developed by Bombardier as the C Series before Airbus acquired a majority stake in 2018, is assembled in Mirabel for non-U.S. customers. AirAsia, a...