TOULOUSE, FRANCE — Airbus considers second powerplant option for future A220 Model.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has hinted at the possibility of offering an additional powerplant option for the A220 twinjet once the company begins to develop a larger version of the aircraft.
The A220, which currently includes two models—the -100 and -300—is solely powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines. However, Faury suggested that a larger third model, potentially termed the A220-500, is a probable future development as it would present a “complete family” at the lower spectrum of Airbus’s product offerings.
“We believe it could lead to dual-sourcing of engines at the appropriate time, if engine manufacturers are prepared to go there,” Faury said in an interview with FlightGlobal.
Faury didn't name any possible second powerplant suppliers, but noted that the A320neo family is equipped with engines from Pratt & Whitney and CFM International.
Faury clarified that while in-service A220s have faced operational issues exacerbated by supply-chain complications, these problems are not the primary reasons for considering a second engine option.
“The choice to single- or double-source engines is less about risk and supply and more about strategic and contractual considerations,” he said.
“It’s more challenging to have double-sourced engines for widebodies due to smaller volumes and larger investments than on single-aisle aircraft. We are very pleased with the double-source approach for single-aisle aircraft; it works very well.”
Although Faury has mentioned the A220-500 as a "when, not if" project in the past, he emphasized that it is not currently a high priority. The focus remains on increasing production and reducing the manufacturing cost of the existing A220 models. Airbus has 520 A220s on backorder, with 483 of them being the larger -300 model.
