SMBC Aviation Capital Orders 115 Airbus A320s

SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, has signed a firm order for 115 A320 Family aircraft (110 A320neo, five A320ceo).

This new order is the industry’s largest ever single firm order by a worldwide leasing company for single-aisle aircraft. With these new planes, SMBC Aviation Capital’s total orders for Airbus aircraft rise to 206 A320 Family aircraft. SMBC Aviation Capital has not yet confirmed its engines selection.

“This is a landmark order for SMBC Aviation Capital and indeed for the wider aircraft leasing industry, and I am delighted to be continuing the close and long-standing relationship that our business enjoys with Airbus,” said Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital. “The A320 family has played a crucial role in SMBC Aviation Capital’s success to-date, and this order should be taken as a clear sign both of our commitment to the new generation of single-aisle aircraft as well as our ambitious plans to grow our business. The A320neo programme is progressing well, and we believe that the timing and structure of the order that we have placed will complement the specific needs and requirements of our customer base. This order, together with the company’s global presence, operational expertise, robust shareholder structure and world-class team, mean that SMBC Aviation Capital is extremely well placed to continue delivering sustainable long-term growth.”

The newest member of the A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets (wing tip devices) which Airbus says deliver 15% in fuel savings. At the end of June 2014, firm orders for the neo reached over 2,800 aircraft from 55 customers.

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