Stories

Thu, 07 May 2026

Thu, 07 May 2026 $19bn order boosts Belfast Airbus factory

Malaysian airline Air Asia places an order for 120 Airbus A220s, the wings of which are made in Belfast.

* Malaysian airline Air Asia has ordered 150 Airbus A220 aircraft, worth $19bn at list price.
* The order is the largest ever placed for the A220 and takes total orders beyond 1,000.
* Belfast's Airbus operation will supply wings and mid-fuselage sections for the aircraft.
* The Airbus plant in Belfast employs 1,500 people and supports more jobs in the local supply chain.
* There is speculation that Airbus may announce a "stretch" version of the A220 with up to 200 seats, which Air Asia has expressed interest in.
* Air Asia's CEO Tony Fernandes said the A220 will allow the airline to serve new destinations.