SMBC Aviation Capital’s Expansion with A320neo Aircraft

SMBC Aviation Capital, the Japanese aircraft leasing giant, has expanded its fleet with a new order for 60 A320neo Airbus aircraft. This brings their total number of Airbus orders to 340, ensuring a steady aircraft supply stream until the end of the decade. The A320neo, with its focus on sustainability, offers a fuel savings of 20% and emits 20% less CO2 compared to previous-generation Airbus aircraft.

Peter Barrett, the CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, emphasized the importance of sustainability to the company’s customers. He stated, “This transaction demonstrates the sustained global demand for technologically advanced, fuel-efficient aircraft and comes amid the ongoing strong recovery in air travel worldwide. With sustainability and operational efficiency being top priorities for our customers, we anticipate an even greater demand for aircraft such as the A320neo and the A321neo in the coming years. We are eager to strengthen our valued partnership with Airbus as we assist our customers in addressing these priorities.”

Airbus asserts that the A320neo brings “minimum change with maximum benefit,” equipped with two engine options: Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM geared turbofan and CFM International’s LEAP-1A. Christian Scherer, the chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International, stated, “As one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, SMBC Aviation Capital is advancing its sustainable aviation roadmap with the world’s most efficient single-aisle products. We deeply value our working relationship with SMBC and sincerely thank them for their ongoing confidence.”

This order contributes to Airbus’ strong year of demand, which saw the delivery of a total of 316 aircraft in H1 and an expansion of manufacturing capabilities for its A320 aircraft.