The first of QantasLink’s new Airbus A220 fleet has unveiled a stunning Indigenous paint scheme as it rolled out of the Mirabel, Canada facility, making it the sixth plane to join the national carrier’s Flying Art Series.
The QantasLink aircraft spent two weeks in the paintshop and features the artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker.
The aircraft is named after the artwork, Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa – The Two Sisters Creation Story, and tells the Dreaming story of two sisters who traverse remote Australia together, covering vast distances to find their way home.
Around 100 painters completed the livery with Airbus teams using 130 stencils to replicate the detailed designs.
It features more than 20,000 dots and is the most complex livery Airbus has ever completed for this aircraft type.
A game-changer for domestic travel
The new narrowbody aircraft, set to arrive in Australia by the end of 2023, is the first of 29 A220s delivered as part of the Qantas Group’s renewal program to replace and grow its domestic fleet. Another six A220s are scheduled by mid-2025.
The next-generation QantasLink A220s will gradually replace the Boeing 717s currently operating flights across Australia.
The A220s will mostly connect smaller capital cities, such as Canberra and Hobart, with major hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
With double the range of the 717, the A220 is expected to open up new domestic and short-haul international routes as more aircraft enter the fleet.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the QantasLink A220s would be a game-changer for domestic and regional travel.
“These aircraft have the potential to change the way our customers travel across the country with the ability to connect any two cities or towns in Australia,” Ms Hudson said.
“That means faster and more convenient travel for business trips and exciting new possibilities for holiday travel. A whole new fleet type also means a lot of opportunities for our people to operate and look after these aircraft.”
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