A greener outlook for airBaltic as it takes its 21st Airbus A220-300
Latvian hybrid airline airBaltic has celebrated the acquisition of its 21st Airbus A220 jet – the 100th example of the type produced that was previously the Bombardier CS300 – at a special November 28 ceremony at the Airbus aircraft programme’s Mirabel, Canada headquarters.
It was three years ago that the world’s first Airbus A220-300 took off from Montreal-Mirabel and landed in Riga on November 30, thus enabling airBaltic to become the world’s first airline to launch the type’s commercial operations on December 14, 2016.
The roll-out of the latest aircraft, registered as YL-AAU and sporting a new livery, marks the next phase in airBaltic’s fleet modernisation plan. It also means that, from now on, all the company’s new aircraft will have greener tails, imagery which reflect the Baltics’ biggest carrier’s commitment to improved sustainability by operating one of the greenest fleets as well as launching other environmentally-friendly initiatives in the near future.
It is the first delivery of an additional order signed in May 2018 for the purchase of 30 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with options for a further 30. By the end of 2020, airBaltic plans to have a total of 26 Airbus A220s in its fleet.
Martin Gauss, chief executive of airBaltic enthuses: “Introducing this aircraft is a forward-thinking decision that has most certainly paid off as the A220 family of aircraft are not only considerably more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, but also more convenient for both passengers and staff.”
Thus far, airBaltic has carried more than four million passengers on the A220-300, with the type having completed some 40,000 flights covering 100,000 block-hours.
Riga-based airline aims to minimise complexity and benefit from the additional efficiencies of the Airbus A220 as, by the end of 2022, it will be the only jet type operated by the airBaltic.
The airBaltic fleet currently consists of 38 aircraft – 21 Airbus A220-300s, five Boeing 737s and 12 Bombardier Q400s.
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