Nordic Aviation Capital has firmed up its order for 20 Airbus A220-300s, prompting the manufacturer to highlight the aircraft’s relevance in the regional aviation market.

Regional aircraft lessor NAC had signed a memorandum of understanding for 20 A220s in June 2019.

Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer states that NAC’s A220 order “shows this aircraft is just as relevant in the regional world as it is in the mainline one”. The aircraft is designed to serve the 100-150 seat market.

At the end of 2019, Airbus held 595 A220 orders, up 47% on the number of orders secured for the aircraft before the European manufacturer acquired the programme from Bombardier in mid-2018.

Other deals signed by Airbus include the sale of 60 A220-300s to Air France-KLM, 70 A220-300s to JetBlue Airways, an agreement to sell 60 jets to former JetBlue founder David Neeleman’s US start-up, project-named Moxy, and a letter of intent for Air Lease to acquire 50 A220-300s.