PARIS–Boeing VP commercial marketing Darren Hulst says the company is unfazed by the prospect of Airbus launching an A220-500 aircraft, which Airbus hopes will take on the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
A stretched version of the A220 would be capable of accommodating up to 170 passengers, positioning it within the same category as the A320 and 737, but with enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels. This would provide operators with improved choices for short to medium-haul routes, delivering enhanced seat-kilometer performance.
Speaking to ATW at the Paris Air Show, Hulst explained that the potential introduction of the A220-500 would offer growth opportunities for existing A220 customers. However, it would also “divide the market” and undermine the advantages of commonality for Airbus customers, he says.
“The only thing that A220s and A320s share is the name Airbus—there's nothing similar about the cockpit or the maintenance of the aircraft,” Hulst says. “Obviously, I can see why customers want it, but I also see why creates a lot of risk for Airbus from their product strategy standpoint.”
Hulst adds that Boeing has “the right tools to compete” with both the A220 and A320 family, as well as the potential competitive threat of the A220-500.
Airbus CCO Christian Scherer has previously stated the A220-500 is a matter of “when,” rather than “if.” However, in May, the company announced that it would not be launching the variant at the Paris Air Show in 2023, saying the A220-100 and A220-300 remain the priority in the current environment.
Instead, it is anticipated that the launch of the A220-500 will likely take place closer to the middle of the decade, with the aircraft expected to enter service around 2030.
