Airbus Has Now Built 100 A220 Aircraft in the United States: The Latest Delivery Goes to Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways, David Neeleman's airline, has received the 100th A220 assembled in Alabama, a step forward for Airbus's North American strategy.
Airbus reached a production output of one hundred A220 aircraft at its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Mobile, Alabama, following the delivery of a new unit to the U.S. airline Breeze Airways. This event comes five years after the start of this model's manufacturing in the United States, a strategic move for the European consortium in the North American market.
The aircraft in question, an A220-300 registered under the tail number N251BZ, departed from the Airbus facilities in Mobile (BFM) on July 18 at 1:49 PM local time. The delivery flight lasted one hour and three minutes, landing at Tampa International Airport (TPA), one of the airline's operational focus cities, at 3:51 PM.
The first commercial service for N251BZ was conducted the following day, on July 19, covering the route between Tampa (TPA) and Charleston (CHS), South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Airbus A220
What is the Airbus A220? It is a single-aisle aircraft designed for the 100 to 160-seat segment. Originally known as the Bombardier C-Series, it was acquired by Airbus in 2018. It is renowned for its high fuel efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and CO_2 emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.
Why does Airbus manufacture aircraft in the United States? The Mobile plant allows Airbus to directly serve its U.S. customers, avoiding import tariffs and trade tensions. In addition to the A220, models from the A320 Family are also assembled there.
Which U.S. airlines operate the A220? Besides Breeze Airways, the main operators of the A220 in the United States are Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways.
Breeze Airways, founded by seasoned executive David Neeleman (who is also behind the creation of JetBlue and Brazil's Azul), is an all-A220 mainline operator, basing its primary operation on the efficiency and performance of this model. With this addition, the airline continues its expansion plan in the U.S. domestic market.
The establishment of an A220 production line in Mobile was a direct response by Airbus to trade uncertainty and protectionist measures that arose during a dispute initiated by Boeing against Bombardier in 2017. By setting up a manufacturing base in the country, Airbus not only bypassed potential tariffs but also solidified its industrial presence in the world's largest aviation market. This plant complements the main A220 program facility in Mirabel, Canada, where the aircraft was originally designed.
Alongside Breeze Airways, other major operators such as Delta Air Lines and JetBlue receive their A220s from the Alabama plant. The growing demand for the model, which is ideal for short and medium-haul routes, drives activity at both of Airbus's North American assembly lines, positioning it as a strong competitor against models like the Embraer E2.
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