This new aircraft, with 25% less CO2 emissions than previous generation aircraft and NOx emissions 50% lower than the standards, asserts itself as the most efficient in its category in terms of the environment. These performances are also reflected in the passenger experience. With 20% more storage space per passenger, the widest seats and the largest windows in its class, the A220 offers unparalleled comfort to travelers.
The A220 responds to one of the main concerns of airlines, namely to have a single-aisle aircraft that is as efficient on regional as continental routes. Airbus chose an AirBaltic A220 to showcase the qualities of this aircraft. The choice of the Latvian low-cost airline is not the result of chance since it has placed an order for 50 planes. The company is trying to seduce Royal Air Maroc to place an order, too, for this kind of aircraft.
“A220 perfectly meets the needs of RAM to renew its medium-haul fleet. Its range, its operating cost as well as its qualities of comfort and practicality will be an undeniable asset,” says Claude Debeauquenne, head of single-aisle market development at Airbus.
The European manufacturer did not fail during this event to affirm its commitment to developing its industrial presence in the Kingdom. To do this, a “market place” brought together some of the local service providers among the 100 with which Airbus has collaborated for many years. The participants were able to discover the know-how and the diversity of the parts produced in Morocco for almost all Airbus aircraft. As part of the A220, several hundred parts of the aircraft are produced in Morocco.
“Today with more than 100 suppliers established in Morocco, Airbus generates 10,000 jobs and more than one billion euros in annual activity. We are lucky to be able to count on very reliable Moroccan partners, like those present with us today”, underlines Mikail Houari, President Airbus Africa and Middle East.
Airbus has woven an unparalleled industrial network in the country. This partnership tends to strengthen in the future due to the increase in air capacity needs of the African continent. According to the Airbus Global Market Forecast for 2022, African airlines will need to acquire 1,230 aircraft by 2040. most advanced in Africa, will be multiplied, requiring the recruitment of more than 16,000 technicians over the next 20 years.
Airbus Defense and Space is also a long-time supplier of transport aircraft to the Royal Moroccan Army, which operates a fleet of seven first-generation CN 235 aircraft. These links were reaffirmed last July with the formalization by the Royal Air Forces of the acquisition from Airbus of H135 helicopters.
