Airbus-AirAsia deal marks largest commercial aircraft order in Canadian history
Airbus AirAsia deal boosts Québec aerospace manufacturing sector
MIRABEL, Que. — Prime Minister Mark Carney is welcoming what the federal government calls the largest commercial aircraft order in Canadian history after AirAsia agreed to purchase 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft assembled in Mirabel, Québec.
The agreement between Airbus and the Malaysia-based airline marks a major boost for Canada’s aerospace sector, with all aircraft set to be produced at Airbus Canada’s facility north of Montreal.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the deal is expected to support thousands of Canadian jobs across engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, technology, and aerospace supply chains.
“This agreement between Airbus and AirAsia is the largest order of Canadian aircraft in history,” Carney said in a statement released Tuesday.
Airbus A220 program central to Canada’s aerospace sector
The Airbus A220-300 aircraft was originally developed in Canada and is recognized as one of the country’s most advanced aerospace manufacturing programs.
The Mirabel facility serves as Airbus’s primary commercial aircraft manufacturing site outside Europe and employs more than 4,600 workers. The broader Airbus operation supports more than 27,000 jobs across Canada through suppliers, contractors, and manufacturing partnerships.
Federal officials say the agreement strengthens Québec’s role as a global aerospace hub while reinforcing Canada’s growing trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.
The A220 aircraft features:
- Lower fuel consumption
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Advanced lightweight materials
- Modern aerodynamic design
- Reduced noise footprint
The aircraft is considered a key component of Airbus’s next-generation commercial aviation strategy.
Airbus and AirAsia just signed the largest single order of commercial aircraft in Canadian history — supporting thousands of good careers in Québec and right across the country. pic.twitter.com/UskEytujQw
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 6, 2026
Canada expanding Indo-Pacific trade ties
The announcement also reflects Canada’s broader push to diversify trade relationships beyond North America.
The federal government noted that Prime Minister Carney met with AirAsia leadership during his October 2025 visit to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Summit.
Canada’s bilateral trade with Malaysia increased nearly 20 per cent in 2025, according to federal figures, while the Indo-Pacific region now represents more than $260 billion in two-way merchandise trade for Canada.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the deal will strengthen Canada’s long-term economic resilience and aerospace manufacturing base.
Aerospace remains major Canadian industry
The aerospace industry contributed more than $34 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supported approximately 225,000 jobs nationwide.
Canada remains the only non-European country to host a major Airbus aircraft program.
The federal government says the Airbus-AirAsia agreement aligns with its broader economic strategy aimed at catalyzing $1 trillion in investment over five years through advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, and export growth.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office (pm.gc.ca)
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