Airbus Updates No.4602

 

Airbus seeks pre-orders to launch A220-500 in 2026

Airbus aims to line up enough pre-orders for the A220-500, a larger version of the regional jet being planned by subsidiary Airbus Canada (ABK, Montréal Mirabel), to justify commencing development later this year, Reuters reported citing unnamed industry sources.

The OEM could formally announce the programme as early as the Farnborough Airshow in July, pending board approval and confirmed customer interest.

Airbus officials told financiers at the Airline Economics conference in Dublin that 2026 would be "a big year" for the A220. Conditional sales discussions are expected to open in the coming weeks, with a final launch decision hinging on commitments from two or three marquee airlines, the sources said. Potential targets include Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, and Air France, which already operate the A220.

The proposed stretched version would involve a longer fuselage without engine or wing changes, allowing airlines to reduce costs per seat while accepting a shorter range. Airbus hopes the move will boost orders, renegotiate supplier contracts, and improve the A220 programme’s profitability. The stretched design would increase capacity to 180 seats, compared with the current 110-160-seat A220 models.

Airbus Updates No.4460

 

Transport Canada mandates A220 inspections

Transport Canada (TGO, Ottawa International) has issued two Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for A220-100s and A220-300s, ordering an inspection and service of their overhead compartments and titanium fasteners.

During rework at the final assembly line, Airbus Canada discovered that the fasteners had been incorrectly installed at the outer wing box. Such a condition could "result in a reduction in joint strength and the potential damage to and loss of principal/fatigue critical structure," Transport Canada noted.

The agency warns that there is a risk of a fuel leak if the fastener fails and falls free from the joint. The Airworthiness Directive requires airlines to apply corrective measures within 500 flight cycles from the effective date of the AD (March 10, 2025) or before accumulating 10,000 flight cycles.

Transport Canada issued another AD for two aircraft types regarding issues with the overhead compartments in the cabin. The authority noted that some of the tie rods supporting them "did not have enough thread engagement of the turnbuckle into the tie rod."

It added: "The affected tie rods support the overhead stowage compartments during an emergency landing, and if they become disengaged the overhead stowage compartments have the potential of impacting occupants of the passenger cabin."

The Airworthiness Directive, effective March 17, mandates compartment inspection. If deficiencies are found, airlines are required to adjust the tie rod engagement. Companies are to inspect and fix the issue within 48 months of the effective date of this AD.

Aircraft in the fleets of airBaltic, Delta Air Lines, Swiss, Korean Air, Air Tanzania, Breeze Airways, Cyprus Airways, EgyptAir, Air Canada, Ibom Air, JetBlue Airways, Air Austral, Air France, Iraqi Airways, and ITA Airways are affected by the new ADs.