China Development Bank Financial Leasing (CDB) announced it has signed a major deal to purchase 80 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
The company, which announced the signing on September 11, 2024, and its subsidiary Aviation Lease Finance (DAC) expect to take deliveries of the aircraft between 2030 and 2032.
CDB said the order will modernize the company’s fleet by increasing the share of fuel-efficient, next-generation jets, which are popular worldwide due to their reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, the order will add more fuel-efficient, next-generation jets, which are popular worldwide for their lower fuel use, the statement continued.
The order is part of a wider move among airlines and jet lessors placing large orders to secure delivery slots well into the next decade. However, in June 2024 European planemaker Airbus warned that it will not reach its intended target of 800 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2024 due to ongoing supply chain issues. Airbus has pushed back the increase in A320neo family production from 2026 to 2027.
The A320 family aircraft, particularly the A320neo, remains one of Airbus’s bestselling models, with more than 7,000 orders yet to be fulfilled. The A321neo is the largest aircraft in the Airbus A320neo family.
According to Airbus, the aircraft, which boasts the widest single-aisle cabin in its class, offers a 50% noise reduction and at least 20% fuel savings and reduction in CO2.
