Prime Minister Mark Carney Welcomes Largest Aircraft Order in Canadian History

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed what is being described as the largest commercial aircraft order in Canadian history, following a landmark agreement between Airbus and AirAsia for the purchase of 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

The announcement was made in Mirabel, where the aircraft will be assembled at Airbus Canada’s manufacturing facility. The agreement is being seen as a major boost for Canada’s aerospace industry and a significant economic victory for the federal government as it pushes forward with its large-scale investment and industrial development agenda.

Prime Minister Carney said the deal represents a major achievement for Canadian workers and manufacturing, emphasizing that every aircraft in the order will be built in Canada by Canadian employees.

He said the project will create thousands of high-paying jobs for engineers, electricians, welders, technicians and information technology specialists, while strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in aerospace innovation.

The aircraft involved in the agreement, the Airbus A220-300, is widely recognized as one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient commercial passenger planes currently in operation. Developed and designed in Canada, the aircraft uses lightweight materials and advanced aerodynamic technology to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise levels.

The Mirabel facility, located in Quebec, has become one of Airbus’s most important manufacturing centres outside Europe. More than 4,600 employees currently work at the site, which combines research, engineering, administration and production operations under one integrated system.

Federal officials say the deal will also benefit hundreds of suppliers and small businesses across the country that support the aerospace sector through manufacturing, logistics, technology and industrial services.

According to government figures, Airbus supports more than 27,000 jobs across Canada’s aerospace supply chain and works with over 850 Canadian suppliers. The company also provides more than $2 billion in contracts to Canadian businesses.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly described the agreement as a major milestone for Quebec and the national economy, saying the investment will strengthen Canada’s manufacturing sector for years to come.

She said Canada remains a world leader in aviation and aerospace technology and added that the agreement reflects growing international confidence in Canadian innovation and skilled labour.

The federal government has been aggressively promoting economic diversification and foreign investment in recent months as global economic uncertainty continues to affect international markets.

Officials noted that Canada secured nearly $100 billion in foreign investment commitments over the past year and signed multiple international economic and defence partnerships aimed at strengthening trade ties across Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

The deal with AirAsia also reflects Canada’s growing commercial relationship with Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Carney visited Kuala Lumpur in late 2025 during the ASEAN Summit, where he met with international investors and AirAsia executives to discuss trade and investment opportunities involving Canadian industries.

Government data shows bilateral trade between Canada and Malaysia increased by nearly 20 per cent in 2025, while the broader Indo-Pacific region now represents Canada’s second-largest trading partner with more than $260 billion in annual merchandise trade.

The aerospace sector continues to play a major role in the Canadian economy. In 2024 alone, Canada’s aerospace industry contributed more than $34 billion to the country’s GDP and supported approximately 225,000 jobs nationwide.

Economic analysts say the Airbus-AirAsia agreement could help secure long-term stability for Canada’s aerospace manufacturing industry at a time when countries around the world are competing heavily for industrial investment and advanced manufacturing projects.

The agreement is also expected to reinforce Quebec’s reputation as one of North America’s leading aerospace hubs, with Mirabel continuing to attract global attention for aircraft production and technological development.

While global economic conditions remain uncertain, Canadian officials argue that major international manufacturing agreements like this demonstrate confidence in the country’s workforce, infrastructure and long-term industrial strategy.

Courtesy: Prime Minister of Canada