LONDON – In the last few moments, Air Lease has signed a brand new deal with Airbus for another 111 aircraft, including being the first customer of the A350 Freighter.

The breakdown of the deal is as follows:

• 25 A220-300s
• 55 A321neos
• 20 A321XLR
• 4 A330-900
• 7 A350 Freighters

This deal was somewhat expected as there was significant chatter yesterday about the A350 Freighter hitting the sales spotlight.

The order is due to be finalized in the next few months, and significant orders for each type of aircraft is a very good step for Airbus as well.

Commenting on the news was Steven Udvar-Hazy, the Executive Chairman of the leasing giant:

“This new order announcement is the culmination of many months of hard work and dedication by both organizations to optimize and fine-tune the size and scope of this large aircraft transaction in view of the rapidly growing global airline demand to modernize their jet fleets through the ALC leasing medium”.

“After lengthy and detailed consultations with several dozen of our strategic airline customers around the world, we are focusing this comprehensive order on the most desirable and in-demand aircraft types, covering the A220, A321neo, A330neo, and A350 families.”

“ALC is an international Market Leader in each of these categories of the most modern Airbus product lineup. These multi-year additions of new technology aircraft assets to ALC’s expanding portfolio will allow us to grow our revenues and profitability while satisfying our airline customer requirements.”

”ALC was the launch customer for the very popular A321LR and XLR versions. Now, we become the launch lessor for the A350F and by far the largest lessor customer for the A220.”

“We had the vision to be first adopters of the A321 and are convinced we have made the right choice again on the A220 and A350F, responding to what we see the market will need in the period of recovery ahead.”

“In addition, we are very enthusiastic to have inked a partnership for a sustainability fund which will contribute to the green future for our industry.”

Also commenting on the news was Christian Scherer, the Airbus sales chief who dubbed this as a major announcement for the manufacturer:

“This is a major announcement for Airbus in 2021. ALC’s order signals we’re moving beyond the Covid doldrums. With foresight, ALC is solidifying its order portfolio for the most desirable aircraft types as we exit the crisis and in particular, it has seen the formidable value the A350F brings to the cargo market.”

“ALC’s endorsement confirms the global enthusiasm we see for this quantum leap in the freighter space and we applaud its insightfulness in selecting it and is beating everyone to the finish line for the first A350F order announcement.”

“In addition, we agreed to make our sustainable aviation vision part of this agreement which is a  priority for us both,”

With the deal yet to be finalized, this means that we have no timescale on delivery dates at this time, but as mentioned, Airbus are beginning to steal the show with these intensively high order-numbers, and we are just about near the half-way point at this air show.