PARIS — Air France has taken delivery of its 10th A220-300, part of the airline’s one billion euro annual investment in fleet renewal to improve economic and environmental performance.
Air France projects that by 2030, A220-300 aircraft will make up 70% of its fleet – compared to 7% today.
This latest aircraft left the Airbus assembly line in Mirabel, QC to fly to Paris-CDG, where it will operate short and medium-haul flights. Its first commercial flight was July 5 to Venice. A total of 148 seats offer a 3-2 seat configuration, meaning 80% of passengers get a window or aisle seat.
For summer 2022, the Air France A220-300 will serve Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, Milan-Linate, Milan-Malpensa, Bologna, Rome, Naples and Venice, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Athens, Helsinki, Vienna, Warsaw and Stockholm on departure from the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
Between now and the end of 2025, some 60 A220-300s will gradually replace much of Air France’s medium-haul aircraft. The company notes that with up to 15 deliveries scheduled each year, this is the fastest fleet integration of an aircraft in the carrier’s history.
The A220-300 provides a cost reduction per seat of 10% compared to the Airbus A318 and A319, and stands out for its energy efficiency, consuming 20% less fuel than the aircraft it replaces. Its CO2 emissions are also reduced by 20%, plus its noise footprint is 34% lower.
Through its ‘Air France ACT’ initiative, Air France is targeting a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 2030 compared to 2019.
