Airbus is preparing to assess the market potential for a new stretched version of the A220, with lessors and airlines being consulted. According to Reuters, an announcement on the launch of the Airbus A220-500 could be made this year, with an expected announcement at Farnborough International Airshow in July. The aircraft will seat around 180 passengers and is seen as a potential alternative to the Boeing 777-10X and Airbus A350-2000. Industry sources indicate that there is significant interest from airlines operating the current A220 model, including Delta, Breeze Airways, airBaltic, Air France, and JetBlue.