Qantas launches Sunrise, firms Airbus-order

At a special ceremony at Sydney on 2 May, Qantas has announced it's officially launching Project Sunrise, ordering twelve A350-1000s and also signed its order for 20 A220-300s and 20 A321XLRs which it announced on 16 December. Airbus was present at the ceremony with A350-1000 F-WMIL (059), wearing additional Qantas-titles, as well as AirBaltic A220-300 YL-ABH (55162).

The Qantas Group also announced it has decided to convert 20 of its A320neo-family aircraft on order for Jetstar into orders for 20 A321XLRs. Next to the firm orders, the airline secured 94 additional purchase options for the A220 and A320neo-family, having full flexibility to source each variant of these families for the same price.

The A220-300 is to be used to replace Qantas' B717-fleet, which consists of 20 aircraft. The first A220 is set to be delivered in late 2023. The first A321XLR, which will be used to replace the B737-800 is expected to arrive in late 2024. The A350-1000s are set to be delivered between 2025 and 2028.

Illustration by Airbus.