Airbus has begun a demonstration tour of Southeast Asia with its latest generation A220. The aircraft started its tour at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023) in Malaysia where it was on static display and performed a demonstration flight for industry guests and members of the media.
The A220 is the most modern airliner in its size category, carrying between 100 to 160 passengers on flights of up to 3,450 nautical miles (6,400km). This would enable direct non-stop services between any two points in Malaysia and regional services to destinations afield such as Darwin and Perth in Australia, the Middle East, Tokyo and Seoul. The A220 brings a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions when compared with previous-generation aircraft of a similar size. This makes an immediate contribution to industry goals to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment.
As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with 100 percent SAF by 2030.
The aircraft on the tour is leased by Airbus from airBaltic. It features a comfortable layout with 148 seats in a single-class passenger cabin. Prior to flying to Langkawi, the aircraft made a stop in Kuching in Sarawak, where it was refuelled with a 10 percent blend of SAF, supplied by Neste.
Following the stop in Langkawi, the aircraft will continue on its tour to visit Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok and Koh Samui.
The A220 is available in two versions, with the -100 variant seating between 100 and 130 passengers and the larger -300 variant seating between 130 and 160 in typical layouts. It has the largest cabin, seats and windows in its class, offering passengers superior comfort. The aircraft is powered by the latest generation Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines. To date, Airbus has received 785 orders for the A220 and delivered more than 260 aircraft for this programme.
ITA Airways takes delivery of its first A330neo
ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, has taken delivery of its first A330-900, on lease from Air Lease. The A330neo will join the ITA Airways fleet in June to serve its long-haul routes and new intercontinental destinations. The A330neo is the latest-generation aircraft type from Airbus to join the ITA Airways’ fleet. The airline already operates all Airbus aircraft Families with a fleet of 68 Airbus aircraft (four A220s, 50 A320 Family, eight A330-200s and six A350-900s). By selecting A330neos, ITA Airways is further consolidating its strategy of being an all-Airbus operator and leveraging new levels of efficiency and flexibility.
ITA Airways’s A330neo is named Gelindo Bordin, to commemorate the Italian Olympic marathon champion and will feature a three-class cabin layout designed by renowned designer Walter De Silva. It’ll feature 30 full lie-flat bed Business Class seats, 24 Premium and 237 latest-generation Economy Class seats of which, 36 are dedicated to comfort economy. All seats will be equipped with on demand video and audio content as well as full WiFi connectivity and highly customisable mood lighting throughout the cabin.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
