SMBC Aviation Capital announced on January 21, 2019, an agreement for the purchase of 65 aircraft from Airbus. The order includes 50 A320neo and 15 A321neo aircraft valued at over US$7.4 billion.
The order brings SMBC Aviation Capital’s total number of owned, managed and committed aircraft to over 720. In total, SMBC Aviation Capital has ordered 277 A320 family aircraft directly from Airbus.
“Demand for the latest technology aircraft has been strong both from our existing and new customers hence our decision to make this order,” said Said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, adding “in the current environment, airlines are seeking more fuel efficient aircraft.”
The deal adds to a six A320neo aircraft order placed at the end of March 2018, bringing the total number of aircraft ordered with Airbus in 2018 to 71. This agreement also includes a conversion, from a pre-existing order, of 15 A320neo to 15 A321neo, taking SMBC Aviation Capital’s total for the aircraft type to 30.