CIT becomes new Airbus A350 customer and adds A320 Family orders

CIT Group, a leading provider of commercial and consumer finance solutions, has ordered five Airbus A350-800s, becoming a new customer for the aircraft type, as well as placing a repeat order for 24 A320 Family aircraft.

Deliveries of the A320 Family will begin in 2007, and those of the yet to be released, newly designed, A350s in 2012.

CIT's selection of the A350 takes total commitments for the new Airbus model to 130 aircraft from eight customers.

"We chose the Airbus A350 after extensive analysis, because it will offer airlines new standards in performance and economics, together with unmatched passenger appeal," said CIT Aerospace President Jeffrey Knittel. "Additionally, market demand is consistently high for Airbus' A320 Family, which continues to perform exceptionally well with our clients around the world, so we wanted to buy more of them."

CIT's latest order takes its Airbus aircraft portfolio to more than 100 aircraft, making it one of the European manufacturer’s largest leasing-company customers. Its portfolio already includes A319s, A320s, A321s and A330s.

The Airbus A350 features 60% advanced weight-saving materials, fuel-saving new-generation engines, and valuable savings in training and operation through cockpit-commonality with today’s A330/A340 family.

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