Aircraft leasing firm SMBC Aviation Capital, formerly known as RBS Aviation Capital, has reportedly finalized the order for sixty five Airbus aircrafts from the A320neo family with a price of $7.47 billion. Sources familiar with the knowledge of the matter claim that the order for fifteen A321neo and fifty A320neo single-aisle aircraft is worth the equivalent of €6.6 billion.
According to an official statement from the European aerospace giant, this brings to 71, the total number of aircraft owned by the Dublin based firm, in this category.
Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital, was reportedly quoted stating that demand for the latest technology aircraft has been strong both from its new and existing customers. In the current scenario, airlines are looking for fuel-efficient aircrafts, Barrett claims, adding that the firm’s aircraft order portfolio now positions SMBC in a comfortable stance to fulfill the needs of the aviation industry.
Credible sources close to the matter state that earlier on January 3, Airbus stated that it had finalized the sale of one hundred and twenty single-aisle A220-300 jets, valued approximately at $11 billion, to U.S. airline JetBlue and a start-up – codenamed Moxy, that is set to commence operations in the year 2021.
Incidentally, in terms of aircraft deliveries, in 2018 Airbus was marginally behind U.S. rival Boeing, with 800 commercial airplanes for the European group, compared with 806 for Boeing.
About SMBC:
SMBC is one of the world’s biggest aircraft leasing firms, which is owned by a group of Japanese firms led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC).
About Airbus:
Airbus SE, recognized as the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS) from the year 2000 to 2014, is a European aerospace firm, registered in the Netherlands. The company designs, manufactures, and sells military & civil aerospace products worldwide.