2023-07-13 08:00:00
The airline company Qantas unveiled images of his first Airbus A220-300 being assembled, which should join the fleet of its regional subsidiary by the end of the year QantasLink. She offers fans to decide on her baptismal name.
The Australian flag carrier, which will be the launch operator of the Canadian-designed single-aisle jetliner, provided assembly images on July 12, 2023 to Mirabel of the first of 29 A220-300 now expected. The main airframe components of the aircraft, including the center and rear fuselage, “are assembled at the Airbus production plant in Mirabel, Canada, and the first of 29 aircraft is expected to arrive in Australia before the end of of the year,” said the Qantas press release. Seven are expected by the end of 2024, with the remaining 22 to be delivered by 2027.
As the first A220 to operate in Australia, the aircraft “will undergo regulatory approvals, airport readiness and training activities before joining the QantasLink fleet in early 2024”. The regional subsidiary has also started to train pilots the operation of the new aircraft configured to accommodate 10 passengers in Business class and 127 in Economy, which will gradually replace its fleet of Boeing 717 (in 12+98 or 125 seats)
QantasLink’s first A220-300 will fly between airports in Melbourne-Tullamarine and of Canberra, with the following aircraft to be deployed “in other parts of the regional and national network”. With double the range of the 717, the A220 should also “open up new national and international short-haul routes” as more planes enter the fleet.
According to QantasLink CEO John Gissing, this production stage at Mirabel “ marks an important step in the renewal of its fleet. The A220 represents the next generation of our national fleet in terms of passenger comfort, aircraft range and opportunities for our people, so seeing the first aircraft start to take shape is incredibly exciting. ».
©Airbus
As with the 787 Dreamliners in 2017 (10,000 proposals received to baptize them “Quokka”, “Skippy” or “Boomerang” among others), the Qantas group is also calling on Australians to help number so nice new A220s, on the theme of “native fauna”. Fans can nominate up to six names via a dedicated page until August 8. A shortlist will then be released “so the public can vote for their favorites before the final names are revealed”.
The CEO of QantasLink added: “ it won’t be long before we have to paint the name on the side of these planes, and we want all Australians to help us choose what we call them (…). Whether it’s a frilled lizard or a feathertail glider, an echidna or an emu, we want Australians to help choose names that highlight some of their favorite native animals. of our country, in addition to the one already on the tail, reflecting the diversity and color of this wonderful place they call home ».
©Airbus
©Airbus
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