$19bn order boosts Belfast Airbus factory

Malaysia's Air Asia has placed a $19bn order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft, the single largest ever for the model, providing a major boost to the Airbus factory in Belfast where the wings are made [1]. The order, with a list price of $19bn (£14bn), takes total A220 orders beyond 1,000 [1]. The Belfast plant, which also manufactures the A220's mid-fuselage, employs about 1,500 people and is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector [1]. Airbus acquired the factory in 2025 as part of a deal that broke up supplier Spirit Aerosystems [1]. Earlier this year, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the company's significant investment in Belfast to support increased A220 production, stating it was 'very important to be successful on the ramp-up, to be with a high level of quality, and to be competitive' [1]. Air Asia founder Tony Fernandes said the aircraft's range 'unlocks new markets and routes and brings us closer to building the world's first true low-cost network carrier' [1]. Industry speculation suggests Airbus is close to announcing a 'stretched' version of the A220 with a capacity nearing 200 seats, a model Air Asia has expressed interest in ordering up to 150 of when available [1].