Airbus has unveiled the first A220 painted in the colours of Air Canada, a milestone coming ahead of the expected first delivery of the type to the carrier in December.

Airbus has unveiled the first A220 painted in the colours of Air Canada, a milestone coming ahead of the expected first delivery of the type to the carrier in December.

The aircraft (registration C-GROV) is painted in the scheme Air Canada unveiled in 2017. It has a white fuselage, black tail with a red maple leaf logo, and black engine nacelles.

Airbus has moved the A220-300 from the company’s paint shop in Mirabel, Quebec to a flight-line hanger in Mirabel. There, Airbus will prep the aircraft for its first flight, says an Airbus media release.

Air Canada first A220

Air Canada is set to receive its first A220 in December

Airbus

Montreal-based Air Canada, the only Canadian carrier to have ordered the Canadian-made aircraft, has orders for 45 A220s and options for another 30. It has said it intends to use them to replace Embraer 190s.

Air Canada is outfitting its A220s with 137 seats, including 125 economy seats and 12 first-class seats, according to Cirium fleets data.

Airbus acquired the A220 programme from Bombardier in mid-2018. The in-service fleet stands at 94 aircraft, which are operated by carriers including Air Baltic, Air Tanzania, Delta Air Lines, Egyptair Express, Korean Air, Lufthansa and Swiss, according to Airbus and Cirium.

The airframer holds firm back-orders for another 436 A220s, its data shows.