Lagos-based Green Africa signs initial agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of 50 A220-300s jets. The MoU for 50 A220-300 aircraft, one of the largest orders to be placed globally in the A220 programme and the largest ever from the African continent.
The Founder & CEO of Green Africa Airways, Babawande Afolabi, said: “Together with Airbus, we are incredibly proud to announce the largest order ever for the A220 from the African continent.
“The Green Africa story is a story of entrepreneurial boldness, strategic foresight and an unwavering commitment to using the power of air travel to create a better future,”he said.
He says the Lagos-based airline’s development is a “story of entrepreneurial boldness” and “strategic foresight”.
No delivery date has been given for the aircraft, which have yet to be firmed.
For the moment, the Canadian aerospace firm Bombardier has sold its remaining stake in the A220 project to Airbus for $591m (£455m). Airbus first invested in the project in 2017 at a time when Bombardier was in financial difficulties.
Last year, Bombardier agreed to sell the Belfast wing plant to Spirit Aerosystems. That deal, which includes Bombardiers’s other Belfast operations, is expected to be completed later this year. The A220 started life as the Bombardier CSeries.
Christian Scherer, the Airbus Chief Commercial Officer while speaking from the Singapore Airshow, said: “We are excited about the Green Africa project, its legitimate ambition and its professionalism, evidenced by their most discerning choice for their operating assets. The unique characteristics of the A220 will allow the airline to unlock destinations and route pairs that previously would have been considered non-viable.
“We look forward to our partnership with Green Africa and to accompany their development with the most efficient aircraft in its class,”he stated.
The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, along with significantly lower emissions and a reduced noise footprint which wings are made at a factory in Belfast.The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market. At the end of January 2020, the A220 had accumulated 658 orders.
Be First to Comment