Air Lease Corporation (ALC), the Los Angeles based aircraft leasing company has opted to expand its single-aisle and wide-body fleet portfolio with modern, eco-efficient Airbus aircraft. ALC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 49th Le Bourget Airshow for 50 A320neo Family aircraft including 14 options. The agreement was signed today by Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, ALC Chairman and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. ALC also announced orders for the acquisition of eleven A330 Family aircraft and one A321.

“This new order enables ALC to continue to offer its customers the most fuel efficient aircraft in the short and medium to long haul segments. The A320neo Family represents the industry’s new single-aisle benchmark and we look forward to seeing our customers benefitting from the cost savings it promises to deliver,” said Steven Udvar-Hazy, ALC’s CEO. “The A330 Family offers excellent economics in the mid-size widebody category today making it the ideal aircraft, right now and therefore an absolute must for the growth of ALCs portfolio”.

“We are delighted to see ALC continue to expand its portfolio with a new order for Airbus single-aisle and wide-body aircraft, a testimony to the integrated, eco-efficient aircraft family we offer across all market segments,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The modern and efficient A320 and the A330 Families are and will continue to be the cornerstone of airline fleets worldwide as they offer an excellent return on investment thanks to their outstanding operational reliability and low operating costs.”

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. This reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4m litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars. This saves 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount of C02 absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has considerably smaller noise footprint.

ALC has previously ordered a total of 51 A320 Family aircraft (30 A320s, 21 A321s) from Airbus of which four A320s have been delivered. With this new order, ALC’s cumulative orders and commitments for new Airbus aircraft will reach almost 100 (52 A320 Family, 36 A320neo Family and eleven A330 Family aircraft).

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus has recorded over 1,100 orders for the A330 Family, with more than 780 aircraft currently flying with more than 118 customers and operators worldwide. In addition to passenger aircraft, the A330 Family also includes freighter, VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

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SAS orders 30 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft

SAS has signed a firm order for 30 A320neo Family aircraft, as part of its strategy to streamline its fleet with more fuel-efficient new aircraft. These new A320neos will join the airline’s existing fleet of eight A321s and four A319s, and enable SAS to transition to an all-Airbus fleet at its prime Copenhagen base. The engine decision will be announced by the airline at a later date.

The A320neo incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. This will represent some 3,600 tonnes less CO₂ per aircraft, per year. In addition, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise, thus being a good neighbour at any airport where SAS is operating the aircraft.

“This aircraft order, on the newest Airbus A320, is a significant and important step in our renewal and harmonization of our aircraft fleet. Through this, we will operate with the market’s most efficient and environmental friendly short- and medium distance aircraft,” says Göran Jansson, SAS Deputy President & Chief Financial Officer.

“Airbus salutes SAS’ decision to streamline its fleet with our eco-efficient A320neo aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “As an evolution of the highly successful A320, the latest in fuel saving technologies, the A320neo is a natural choice for SAS. It will fit seamlessly into their existing A320 family fleet.”

SAS has been a customer of Airbus since 1980 and today operates 23 Airbus aircraft, including: 7 A340s; 4 A330s and 12 A320 Family aircraft.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing models making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload. Since its launch in December 2010, the A320neo has attracted more than 300 commitments. Engines offered on the A320neo are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.

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Saudi Arabian Airlines orders more Airbus A330-300s

Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has placed a firm order for four additional A330-300 aircraft in addition to the eight ordered in July 2008, taking the total order for the type to 12.

Saudi Arabian Airlines placed its first order with Airbus in over 30 years in 2007 for 22 A320 Family aircraft and later placed an order for eight A330s. In 2009, Saudia upsized by converting 15 of the A320 orders into the larger A321. Airbus has so far delivered 17 aircraft (five A320s, four A321s and all eight A330s) from the order for 30 before today.

"We are reaping the benefits of operational efficiency and productivity with our new fleet of A330s, and our passengers love it too. The A330 is an important pillar upon which we are building our ambitious expansion plans by simultaneously meeting rising passenger demand and expectations,” said His Excellency Engineer Khalid Al Molhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Including leased aircraft, and today’s four A330, in the years to come, Saudia’s Airbus fleet will grow to 62 aircraft.

“We embarked with Saudi Arabian Airlines on their ambitious fleet renewal plans three years ago, and we are delighted with the result. This follow on order from one of the Middle East’s longest established airlines is a fantastic endorsement of our products,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

The Airbus A330 remains the most economic means of flying some 300 passengers on medium range routes in true long haul comfort. The A330 aircraft offers unbeatable economics, and is the world’s most fuel efficient and productive aircraft on the market.

With a true wide-body fuselage allowing very high comfort standards, the A330-300 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit the diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 5,650 nm / 10,500 km with a full passenger load. Highly efficient and optimized for the medium – to extended range market, the A330-300 offers the best balance between range and cost. Orders for the A330 stand at more than 1100, including over 500 A330-300 aircraft.

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GE Capital Aviation Services signs firm order for 60 A320neo aircraft

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric [NYSE: GE], has announced a firm order for 60 A320neo Family aircraft at the 49th Le Bourget airshow. GECAS has selected CFM’s LEAP-X engine for all 60 A320neo aircraft.

The deal was signed today by Norman C.T. Liu, President and CEO of GECAS and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Office Customers. This new order brings the total number of A320 Family aircraft ordered by GECAS to 390.

“The A320neo Family will bring fuel savings to customers while offering the same levels of in-service reliability they expect,” said Norman C.T. Liu, President and CEO of GECAS. “We have a solid track record of placing A320s with customers around the globe.”

“GECAS’ order is further demonstration of the undisputable success of the A320neo Family. This new order underlines its attractiveness in particular to leasing companies, who are expanding their portfolios with the world’s most modern, fuel efficient single-aisle aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The low operating costs and proven high dispatch reliability offered by the A320 Family make it a strong asset for the GECAS portfolio.”

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called “Sharklets” delivering significant fuel savings of 15 percent, which represents up to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

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