AN EYE-CATCHING Aboriginal-inspired paint scheme adorns QantasLink’s first Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The narrowbody, VH-X4A (c/n 55253), rolled out of the paintshop at Airbus’ facility in Mirabel, Canada. The aircraft, which was set to arrive in Australia before the end of 2023, is the first of 29 A220s that will be delivered to the group as part of its domestic fleet renewal programme.
QantasLink A220s will gradually replace the Boeing 717s currently operating flights across Australia. With double the range of the 717, the type is expected to open up new domestic and short-haul international routes as more aircraft enter the fleet. This will be the twelfth new aircraft delivered to the group in the past 12 months, including eight Airbus A321LR aircraft for Jetstar and three Boeing 787 Dreamliners for Qantas International.