Farnborough, United Kingdom | July 10, 2012/PRNewswire/– Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Kuwait airplane leasing company ALAFCO today announced a commitment at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s valued at $1.9 billion at current list prices.

Boeing looks forward to finalizing the agreement, at which time the order will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

The signing ceremony was attended by ALAFCO’s chairman and CEO Mr. Ahmad Alzabin and Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“This is the first commitment for the 737 MAX from the Middle East which is one of the aviation industry’s highest growth regions,” said Conner. “We are proud of the confidence that ALAFCO has placed in the 737 MAX which will deliver unsurpassed fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market as well as improved environmental performance.”

Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,000 orders and commitments from 17 customers worldwide since its launch on Aug. 30, 2011. The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The airplane will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines. Along with the engines, aerodynamic improvements to the tail and the new Advanced Technology winglet, the 737 MAX will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane, the Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with an eight percent advantage per seat over tomorrow’s competition.

“Today, with rising fuel costs, the 737 MAX will provide operational cost savings to airlines in addition to being more environmentally-friendly due to its latest quiet engine technology,” said Mr. Alzabin. “These are the advantages that airlines are looking for in the current competitive and demanding environment.”

ALAFCO had ordered six 737-800s in March 2007 with the last airplane delivered to the leasing company in July 2011.

Lessor Strengthens Portfolio With world’s Fastest Selling Aircraft

February 14, 2012–ALAFCO Aviation Lease And Finance Company, the Kuwait-based international aircraft leasing company, has finalised a purchase order for 35 A320neo Family aircraft bringing its total backlog for the type to 85.

The firm contract is an increase of the previous agreement signed at the 2011 Dubai Airshow for 50 A320neo aircraft.

“After a full analysis, we concluded that the A320neo will continue to be in strong demand, therefore, we are seizing the opportunity to secure an additional 35 aircraft to meet the future requirements of our customers. The A320neo is the market’s favourite single-aisle aircraft family,” said Ahmad A. Alzabin, ALAFCO Chairman & CEO. “The significant fuel burn savings it offers, combined with the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of the A320 Family, make it an absolute “must have” in our portfolio.”

“Higher fuel prices means airlines require fuel efficient aircraft and with the A320neo offering a 15 per cent fuel burn reduction, it is the ideal investment. The A320neo reduces operating costs whilst enabling airlines to offer the best cabin comfort levels,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “This significant order from ALFACO confirms that the neo ticks all the right boxes and is clearly the best product on the market.”

Over 8,300 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and some 5,000 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 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 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 metric tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has considerably a smaller noise footprint.

Lessor Sees Irresistible Demand For The Fuel Efficient neo

June 22, 2011 —
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance Company, has signed an agreement for 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the 49th Paris airshow in Le Bourget. It follows the placing of an earlier firm order for six A350-900 aircraft.

ALAFCO already ordered 26 A320s of which 25 have been delivered. Including this order, it shall then take ALAFCO’s total order for Airbus single aisle aircraft to 56.

“The A320neo is proving to be a very popular aircraft due to its economics and low fuel burn,” said Abulqasim Abdulghaffar Redha, ALAFCO Executive Vice President. “We anticipate strong demand from leasing customers and we look forward to helping them meet their requirements.”

“We’re taking neo orders from all corners of the world, from both airlines and leasing companies because we’ve hit a sweet spot in the market. An aircraft which offers a 15% reduction in fuel burn is proving to be irresistible,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers.

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

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.

Leasing company sees surge in demand for larger aircraft models
June, 22, 2011 — ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance Company, has signed an agreement for six more Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. This repeat order brings ALAFCO’s total order for the A350-900 to 18 aircraft. The deal was signed at the 49th Paris airshow in Le Bourget.

ALAFCO placed its first order for the A350 XWB in 2007 when it ordered 12 A350-800s. these were later upsized to the larger A350-900 in 2010. The A350-900 typically has a capacity of around 40 more seats than the A350-800.

“This order reflects a strong recovery in long haul traffic demand from our customer airlines. The A350’s position as the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class is a great asset in our aircraft portfolio,” said Ahmad Al Zabin, ALAFCO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“This order echoes the market demand for larger more fuel efficient long haul aircraft. We are delighted that ALAFCO has selected our A350-900 as the reference aircraft for their long haul leasing business. To get a repeat order from a lessor, is a great vote of confidence in the A350 XWB,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

The A350 XWB (Extra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,500 nm / 15,600 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314 and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout.

The A350 XWB has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. With power supplied by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of volatile fuel prices, rising passenger expectations and environmental concerns. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 574 from over 36 customers.