Airbus inks massive $5.37 bn deal to sell 60 A220-300 jets to JetBlue

European aircraft maker Airbus on Tuesday announced  a deal to sell 60 A220-300 jets  to US airline JetBlue . According to the deal, JetBlue will purchase jets at a catalogue price of $5.37 billion. Informing about the news of JetBlue becoming the first one to purchase an Airbus A220,  the company said in a statement, "JetBlue today became the first customer for the newly-rebranded Airbus A220 aircraft, signing a memorandum of understanding for 60 firm orders for the larger A220-300 model."

A220-300 jet, formerly happened to be the C series of the Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier.  Just within the  few hours of delivery of the first A220-300 jet to the planemaker, the announcement was  made public. 

Earlier, last year, Airbus bought a majority stake in production of Bombardier's narrow-body 100 to 150-seater planes.

Even in a bid to take on US archrival Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier had joined forces.

Airbus  added while informing AFP, “ JetBlue "converted 25 of its current orders for Airbus A320neo aircraft into orders for the larger A321neo. JetBlue's A321neos and A220s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines."

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Airbus's chief commercial officer, Eric Schulz is also confident about the deal and believes that it will lead to flexibility of the airline network and great passenger experience. It said,  "JetBlue's selection of the A220 aircraft as a complement to its growing A320 Family fleet is a tremendous endorsement -- both of the A220 itself and of the way these two aircraft can work together to provide airline network flexibility and a great passenger experience."