One of the world’s largest aircraft-leasing companies placed an order with Airbus for 100 narrow-body aircraft, estimated at $11 billion. The booking by AerCap Holdings includes 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo aircraft, of which 55 are recorded as new orders and 45 will be options exercised from previous orders with Airbus.
Neither Airbus nor its customer reported the value of the new order. The deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2034.
The twin-engine A320neo series consists of three models - A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo - and stands as the world's most popular commercial jets, with over 11,600 total orders and an order backlog of nearly 7,200 aircraft.
AerCap’s new order reconfirms the sustained strength of the commercial aerospace market for Airbus and its primary competitor Boeing, driven by carriers’ fleet-replacement plans and the steady growth of new markets.
“This order is the largest single direct order for the type ever placed by AerCap with Airbus, and is a powerful endorsement of the A320neo family’s enduring value and market-leading performance,” stated Airbus EVP Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.
AerCap also announced long-term lease agreements with CFM International for 48 LEAP-1A engines through its Shannon Engine Support joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines.
In a statement on its orders, CEO Aengus Kelly indicated that the new aircraft will be leased to Frontier Airlines, one of the largest budget carriers in the North American market.
"By working closely with three of our long-standing partners - Frontier Airlines, CFM, and Airbus - today's transaction will drive long-term growth for AerCap through a portfolio of highly desirable, in-demand aircraft, while enabling Frontier to optimize its fleet,” according to Kelly.
Frontier Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet and has its own orders in place for 17 Airbus A320neos and 146 A321neos.
