Malaysian Airline AirAsia Orders 150 Airbus A220s, Boosting Belfast Production
Malaysian carrier AirAsia has finalised an order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft, marking the largest single order ever placed for the model and pushing total A220 orders past 1,000. While the stated list price for the order is $19 billion, the definitive transaction value remains undisclosed.
Belfast Manufacturing Hub
The Airbus plant in Belfast is responsible for producing the wings and the mid-fuselage sections of the A220. This facility is a critical component of Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector, sustaining around 1,500 direct jobs and supporting numerous roles within its local supply chain.
Airbus acquired the Belfast factory in 2025 as part of a broader agreement that dismantled Spirit AeroSystems. Rival manufacturer Boeing also secured a portion of Spirit's former Belfast assets, and now employs the majority of the site's 3,500-strong workforce.
Earlier this year, Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive, indicated a substantial financial commitment to the Belfast operation to facilitate increased A220 production. Faury stressed the imperative for the plant to enhance its competitive standing, stating, "It's very important to be successful on the ramp-up, to be with a high level of quality, and to be competitive."
Tony Fernandes, the entrepreneur behind AirAsia, commented that the A220's operational range would enable the airline to access new markets and routes, furthering its objective of establishing "the world's first true low-cost network carrier."
Potential for Expansion
Industry speculation suggests Airbus may soon announce a 'stretched' version of the A220. The current model accommodates up to 160 passengers, while an extended variant could potentially seat closer to 200. AirAsia has already conveyed interest in this larger version, indicating a potential additional order of up to 150 units once available.
