– Emerging lessor enhances portfolio with eco-efficient Airbus aircraft

August 30, 2012– ICBC Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (ICBC Leasing), has signed an agreement with Airbus for a total of 50 A320 Family aircraft, including 30 A320ceo and 20 A320neo.

The aircraft purchase agreement was signed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing by Li Xiaopeng, Senior Executive Vice President of ICBC and Chairman of ICBC Leasing, and Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO of Airbus. It was a part of a series of Europe-China agreements signed in the presence of visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

“We decided to order more Airbus A320 Family aircraft, not only A320ceo but also A320neo, to enhance our portfolio in anticipation of increasing demand of the aviation markets in China, Asia Pacific region and the world as well. The order indicates that leasing companies are playing a more important role in the aviation sector,” said Li Xiaopeng, Senior Executive Vice President of ICBC and Chairman of ICBC Leasing.

“We are delighted to see ICBC Leasing placing another order for the world’s best selling single-aisle aircraft. In particular, the order for 20 A320neo makes ICBC Leasing the first Chinese customer for the fastest selling aircraft, which offers a 15 per cent fuel burn reduction. We are proud to support the growth of Chinese leasing companies with our eco-efficient aircraft,” added Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO.

By the end of July 2012, there were over 700 A320 Family aircraft in operation with 15 Chinese airlines.

As of today, more than 8,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 5,100 delivered to over 365 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. 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. 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.

– Huge Response For Airbus Eco-Efficient Single-Aisle Aircraft Expands In The US

February 1, 2012 — Spirit Airlines has finalised its firm order for 75 Airbus single-aisles including 45 A320neo aircraft (new engine option). The original Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced at the 2011 Dubai air show. The airline has not yet announced its engine selection. Spirit’s order for 45 A320 neo aircraft was booked in December 2011. The firming up of the additional 30 A320s in January brings the total new firm order to 75.

“For seven years we have been very successfully flying the A320 Family,” said Ben Baldanza, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. “The aircraft have been successful from every perspective – economy, environmental impact, comfort and efficiency. With more A320s and now the A320neo on their way to Spirit, we look forward to building on all the positives we’ve experienced so far.”

“When these newly ordered aircraft are delivered, the size of Spirit’s Airbus fleet will be close to triple what it is today,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “It’s a high compliment and testament to the growing efficiencies of our single-aisle family when an airline chooses it exclusively to propel their success into the future.”

The new aircraft will be used on Spirit’s growing network of flights in the domestic United States, Caribbean and Latin America.

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering 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 liters of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid-size cars. This saves 3,600 metric tons of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount absorbed by 240,000 mature trees.

Over 8,300 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and some 5,000 delivered to more than 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. 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.

– Major Production Achievement For Airbus’ Modern, Single-Aisle Aircraft Family

January 20, 2012 — Airbus delivered the A320 with manufacturer serial number (MSN) 5000 to Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA). The aircraft was delivered from Airbus in Hamburg, Germany and is powered by International Aero Engines V2500 engines.
MSN5000 completes the deliveries of MEA’s total order for seven A320s. It marks a significant milestone for Airbus and the A320 Family going into 2012, as production rises from 38 to 40 per month during the first quarter of the year, and orders for the new A320neo reaffirm Airbus’ single-aisle Family as the most modern, fuel efficient in their category. MEA operates one of the most modern fleets in the region with four A330-200s, six A321 and including MSN5000, now seven A320 aircraft.

“We are honoured to become the operator of this brand new A320 with its distinctive serial number 5000 during the 25th anniversary year of the first flight of the A320 said MEA Chairman- Director General, Mohamad El Hout. “Since we first acquired an A320 Family aircraft in 2003, we have not only benefited from the outstanding operational efficiency of the aircraft but were also the first airline in the Middle East to introduce our wide-body cabin product on a single-aisle aircraft, thus offering our customers state of the art on-board entertainment with Audio/Video On Demand as well as a superbly comfortable and spacious cabin experience that has greatly contributed to MEA’s success.”

“Handing MSN5000 over to MEA is a real pleasure for Airbus. The Lebanese flag carrier has shown great courage maintaining its operations in the face of difficulty,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “It’s only natural that we pay tribute to MEA’s outstanding determination and recognise their unfailing loyalty with this landmark delivery. We look forward to seeing MEA continue to thrive and grow their network with our modern, fuel efficient Airbus family.”

Close to 8,300 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,900 delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320, 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.

Aircraft To Bring New Levels Of Comfort And Eco-Efficiency

August 11, 2011 — Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has signed a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of four A350-900s and five A320 aircraft, becoming a new customer for both aircraft types. The aircraft have been selected by the airline under its fleet modernisation programme, with the A350 XWB set to operate on long haul services to Europe and the A320s on domestic and regional routes.

In addition to the aircraft ordered from Airbus, the airline is also leasing eight additional A350-900s and six more A320s from third party lessors.

“The A350 XWB and A320 will play a significant role in ensuring that THAI operates one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the region moving forwards. They will also help THAI strengthen its competitiveness, increase its market share and ensure its future as a strong and sustainable airline,” said Piyasvasti Amranand, President of THAI. “With these fuel-efficient aircraft we will be able to offer passengers the highest levels of comfort on both long haul and shorter regional routes while benefitting from the lowest operating costs and cleaner environmental performance.”

“This order from THAI reflects the unbeatable operating economics offered by the Airbus product range across the various market sectors,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “Whether for short regional services or long intercontinental routes, Airbus has the right products with the lowest operating costs to meet every airline requirement.”
THAI is one of Airbus’ longest standing customers and currently operates a fleet including the A340, A330 and A300-600. In addition to the aircraft types ordered today, the airline is also set to become a new operator of the A380 in the second half of 2012.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new long range product line comprising three models capable of flying between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts on flights of up to 8,500 nautical miles. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 XWB is one of most successful aircraft programmes ever, with over 570 firm orders already received from 36 customers worldwide.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Close to 7,700 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to over 330 customers and operators worldwide.

June 28, 2011 — China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (ICBC Leasing) have signed agreements with Airbus for a total of 88 A320 Family aircraft.

CAS’s General Terms Agreement (GTA) with Airbus for 88 A320 Family aircraft was signed today in Berlin by Li Hai, President of CAS and Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus.

In the frame of this GTA, ICBC Leasing signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 42 A320 Family aircraft. The agreement was signed by Li Xiaopeng, Senior Executive Vice President of ICBC and Chairman of ICBC Leasing, and Tom Enders. This is the first order that ICBC Leasing has placed directly with an aircraft manufacturer. So far ICBC has 68 aircraft in its portfolio. ICBC Leasing is a subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’s largest bank by market capitalization.

“Since the first A320 Family aircraft was introduced in China in 1995, the Airbus single aisle programme has played an important role in supporting the fast Chinese civil aviation growth. The A320’s high reliability and low operational cost have made them very popular among Chinese airlines. The outstanding eco-efficient performance of the Airbus A320 Family will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of Chinese civil aviation,” said Li Hai, President of CAS.

“After a thorough assessment and study of the market, we have decided to place our very first order with Airbus for its A320 Family. This strategic decision to start with the A320 Family aircraft will help our customers to develop their business in the most profitable and sustainable way,” said Li Xiaopeng, Chairman of ICBC Leasing.

“We are delighted to receive a new order from our long-lasting customer CAS, and also the very first order from ICBC Leasing. These aircraft will contribute to the growth and success of China’s aviation sector, and we are proud to be their partner,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

By the end of May 2011, there were some 575 A320 Family aircraft in operation with 13 Chinese airlines.

Largest-Ever Order Consolidates A320 Family’s Market Leading Position

June 23, 2011 — AirAsia, the largest low cost airline in the Asia-Pacific region, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 200 A320neo aircraft. The contract, announced at the Paris Air Show today, is the largest order ever placed for the A320 Family and makes AirAsia the biggest airline customer for the Airbus single aisle product line worldwide. AirAsia announced that its A320neo aircraft will be powered by CFM International’s new LEAP-X engines.

Altogether, AirAsia has now placed firm orders for 375 A320 Family aircraft, with 89 already in service on the carrier’s fast-growing pan-Asian network. In addition, the carrier’s long haul affiliate AirAsia X is also an all-Airbus customer having placed orders for 38 widebody aircraft.

“With this historic deal AirAsia has secured its future with the ability to meet the huge growth potential offered by the Asian market,” said Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia. “Our decision to be one of the launch customers for the A320neo will ensure that we remain at the forefront of our business, with one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets.”

“Thanks to the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of Tony Fernandes and the energy of his team, Air Asia has established itself as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative and respected airlines in the business,” said Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus. “This landmark deal is the strongest endorsement yet of our decision to invest in the development of the A320neo and further consolidates the market-leading position of the Airbus single aisle product line.”

Incorporating new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets, the A320neo will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent and additional range capability of 500 nautical miles (950 kilometers), or the ability to carry two tonnes more payload at a given range. For the environment, the fuel savings translate into 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. The A320neo will have over 95% airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.

Fleet Harmonisation And Renewal With The Eco-Efficient A320 Family

January 25, 2011 — Thomas Cook Group has signed a firm order for 12 A321, as a first step of its single aisle fleet harmonisation and renewal plan which is based on the A320 Family. The aircraft will be fitted with the latest fuel saving wing-tip devices, known as Sharklets.

In addition to the firm order, Thomas Cook Group plans to lease A320 Family aircraft from operating lessors.

“In selecting the Airbus A320 family for our fleet modernisation, we have identified significant operational savings, particularly from maintenance and improved fuel efficiency. The A321 with Sharklets more than fully meets our expectations for range and economics,” said a Thomas Cook Group spokesman.

“The A321 with Sharklets offers a leap in operational and environmental performance alongside the widest, most comfortable cabin in its market,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are delighted that Thomas Cook has selected the A320 family for boosting flexibility and efficiency within their fleet and we look forward to developing our relationship further.”

Thomas Cook Group plc is one of the world’s leading leisure travel groups, operating under five geographic segments and in 21 countries.

Sharklets are large wing-tip devices that will enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family. They are expected to result in at least 3.5 percent reduced fuel burn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual reduction of around 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide per aircraft. This latest development is part of a larger, continuous-update program for the A320 Family.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With close to 7,000 aircraft sold, and more than 4,500 aircraft delivered to over 320 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft.