Airbus completes 100th A220

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airBaltic, Airbus, Airbus A220, Aviation, Bombardier C Series, Business, Canada, Latvia, Mirabel, Quebec, Riga, SWISS

Employees celebrate the completion of the 100th Airbus A220 in Mirabel, Que.

The 100th aircraft in the Airbus A220 family, formerly known as the Bombardier C Series, will soon be delivered to the Latvian airline airBaltic. It will be the carrier’s 21st A220-300.

A ceremony was held this week at the aircraft program’s headquarters in Mirabel, Que., to mark its production.

The 149-seat A220-300 features a new livery and cabin layout, Airbus said.

The A220s are assembled in Mirabel as well as in Mobile, Ala.

The first aircraft in the family, an A220-100, was delivered in 2016 to launch operator SWISS.

AirBaltic, which received its first A220-300 three years ago, was the launch customer for that version of the aircraft.

It has 20 aircraft in its all-A220 fleet, and has ordered 30 more.

“We are truly proud to be the launch operator of the Airbus A220-300 aircraft which, being an integral part of airBaltic’s fleet over the last three years has demonstrated an outstanding performance,” said Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of airBaltic.

“To introduce this aircraft was a forward-thinking decision that has most certainly paid off as A220 family aircraft are not only considerably more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, but also more convenient for both passengers and staff.”

The A220 is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.

As of October, Airbus had received 530 firm orders for the aircraft.

Paris Air Show opens with mega deals

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A350XWB, Airbus, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Dreamliners, Embraer, EVA, Garuda Indonesia, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Q400, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SWISS, Transport, Travel

The 51st edition of the Paris Air Show opened Monday with major aircraft manufacturers announcing a series of deals worth billions of dollars.

Here are the highlights of Day One:

Garuda Indonesia signs a Letter of Intent to buy 30 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft  (left).

Garuda also signs an LOI with Boeing to purchase 30 787-9 Dreamliners, as well as up to 30 737 MAX 8 airplanes.

Launch customer SWISS converts 10 of its 30 firm-ordered Bombardier CS100 aircraft to the larger CS300s (left).

WestJet Encore orders five Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Airbus says Saudi Arabian Airlines will become the first airline in the world to operate the new A330-300 Regional.

ATR announces 46 firm orders and 35 options for its regional aircraft. That includes the sale of the 1500th ATR aircraft.

Qatar Airways orders 10 777-8Xs and four 777 freighters.

Taiwan’s EVA Airways announces it intends to purchase five Boeing 777 freighters.

Images are courtesy of Airbus, Bombardier and ATR.