Delta Air Lines' first Airbus A220-100 has left the paint hangar at the A220 final assembly line in Mirabel, Québec. First flight is later in the Fall prior to entering service in early 2019.
Larry Cato, a program manager on Delta’s Fleet Management team commented: “There’s nothing like seeing years of planning come together in the shape of a freshly-painted aircraft. It’s a major milestone for the future of our fleet.”
Delta placed a US$5.6 billion order with Bombardier in 2016 for 75 CS100 aircraft – now renamed the A220 - with options for a further 50. Airline CEO Ed Bastian noted at the time: "These new aircraft are a solid investment, allowing us to take advantage of superior operating economics, network flexibility and best-in-class fuel performance.”
This week Bastian spoke to a group of Georgia Institute of Technology students and alumni about leadership, culture and what the company hopes for in a prospective employee: "One of the most important things, if not the most important thing I do, is spend quality time with our people – not just at the management level, but with our frontline personnel."
Bastian highlighted the importance of embodying servant leadership, noting that service and selflessness are core attributes to the company's values.
"We're looking for people who love to serve, and we look for it in various ways – in terms of the jobs they hold outside of school and their work experiences," he added. "We can teach people about the airline business, but you can't teach people to serve unless they have a real passion for it."
