SMBC Aviation Capital to lease 20 A321neo aircraft to United

SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world's leading aircraft leasing companies, confirmed that it has signed definitive lease agreements with United Airlines for twenty Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The aircraft, previously announced as part of United’s fleet plan in April, are scheduled to deliver from 2026 and will come from SMBC Aviation Capital’s direct Airbus orderbook.

This deal announcement is in addition to a recently completed 20 aircraft (Boeing 737-8 MAX) sale and leaseback transaction between SMBC Aviation Capital and United Airlines.

“The relationship between SMBC and United has never been stronger and these leases are a meaningful part of our efforts to optimize our balance sheet and to increase our return on capital,” said Michael Leskinen, United’s Chief Financial Officer. “We thank SMBC for its continued support and partnership.”

Barry Flannery, Chief Commercial Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital said:  “These, new, more fuel efficient aircraft will allow United to further grow their fleet and we are delighted to support them in this strategy. These agreements highlight the importance of our long-standing relationship with United and we look forward to many more years of successful partnership.”

 

Uzbekistan Airways sign lease deal for 2 Airbus A321neo jets

SMBC Aviation Capital has confirmed a new leasing agreement with Uzbekistan Airways for two Airbus A321neo aircraft.  The jets will be delivered during 2026 and will come from SMBC's existing order book with Airbus. 

These Airbus A321neo aircraft are a new aircraft type for Uzbekistan Airways and will allow the airline to expand its routes into Europe and South East Asia. Shukhrat Khudaykulov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airways, said: “Uzbekistan Airways has set an ambitious goal to become a leader in air transportation on Central Asia region. It is planned to constantly expand the route network, increase the number of flights and efficiently operate them on new Airbus A320/A321 NEO family. This type of aircraft will help to provide the necessary conditions for a comfortable flight and exciting journey. We will undoubtedly achieve all these goals thanks to receiving the new aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital.”

Conor Stafford, Head of Airline Marketing, SMBC Aviation Capital said:  “We are delighted to welcome Uzbekistan Airways as a new customer to SMBC Aviation Capital and we look forward to many successful years of partnership together. These new tech, fuel efficient A321 NEO aircraft will support Uzbekistan Airways as they expand their route network through South East Asia and Europe.”

SMBC Aviation Capital orders 60 A320neo Family aircraft

Leading aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has ordered a further 60 A320neo Family aircraft taking its total for the type to nearly 340 aircraft purchased directly from Airbus.

Together with its existing orders for the A320neo Family, this new one ensures SMBC Aviation Capital will have a continuous delivery stream to beyond the end of the decade, deepening Airbus and SMBC Aviation Capital’s long standing strategic partnership on the A320neo Family programme.

With its unbeatable seat mile cost, the A320neo Family offers airlines the flexibility to expand their networks using wide-body cabin products on new longer-haul routes which were not previously possible with a single-aisle jetliner.

“This transaction is further testament of sustained global demand for technologically advanced, fuel-efficient aircraft, and comes amidst the continuing strong recovery in air travel worldwide,” said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital. “With sustainability and operational efficiency remaining key priorities for our customers, we anticipate even greater demand for aircraft such as the A320neo and the A321neo in the years ahead. We look forward to strengthening our valued partnership with Airbus as we help our customers navigate these priorities.”

Aeroflot settles with SMBC Aviation Capital over 17 aircraft leases.

Aeroflot has completed the settlement with SMBC Aviation Capital on 17 aircraft

PJSC / Aeroflot has reached fleet settlement with SMBC Aviation Capital (Ireland) on 16 aircraft and 1 aircraft managed by SMBC Aviation Capital.

In accordance with the agreements reached, the lessors terminated their claims to the Russian parties both under insurance policies issued by Russian insurance companies and under leasing agreements with PJSC Aeroflot. The ownership of the aircraft was transferred to the LLC insurance company NSK, which paid the settlement amount.

Aeroflot Group keeps negotiations on the settlement of existing claims with other lessors of foreign-made aircraft.

Big order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets....

This new purchase of 25 737-8s expands lessor's 737 MAX portfolio to 81 jets

Boeing and SMBC Aviation Capital announced this week that the aircraft lessor is ordering 25 Boeing 737- MAX 8 jets which takes the SMBC's backlog to 81 MAX planes.

With travel demand surging around the globe, lessors are looking to increase their single-aisle portfolios to provide airlines with more fuel-efficient jets capable of operating across various route networks.  

"We are pleased to conclude this further order with our long-standing partner Boeing and we look forward to working closely with them in the future. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with the latest technology," said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital. "Our customers have demonstrated clear, long-term demand for the 737 MAX and our expanded order pipeline positions SMBC Aviation Capital for future growth against the background of a strong global recovery in air travel."

"As one of the industry's leading aeroplane lessors, SMBC's decision to increase its 737 MAX backlog with an order for 25 737-8s shows its confidence in the value the aeroplane brings to its airline customers," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

Based in the IFSC in Dublin Ireland, SMBC Aviation Capital is the second largest aircraft operating lease company globally by number of aircraft, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of just under 900 aircraft. The company focuses on the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and narrowbody aircraft types, providing customers across the globe with the aircraft they need to successfully grow their businesses.  Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprised of two of Japan's biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation. 

SMBC Aviation Capital puts in order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

This new purchase of 25 737-8s expands lessor's 737 MAX portfolio to 81 jets

Boeing and SMBC Aviation Capital announced this week that the aircraft lessor is ordering 25 Boeing 737- MAX 8 jets which takes the SMBC's backlog to 81 MAX planes.

With travel demand surging around the globe, lessors are looking to increase their single-aisle portfolios to provide airlines with more fuel-efficient jets capable of operating across various route networks.  

"We are pleased to conclude this further order with our long-standing partner Boeing and we look forward to working closely with them in the future. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with the latest technology," said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital. "Our customers have demonstrated clear, long-term demand for the 737 MAX and our expanded order pipeline positions SMBC Aviation Capital for future growth against the background of a strong global recovery in air travel."

"As one of the industry's leading aeroplane lessors, SMBC's decision to increase its 737 MAX backlog with an order for 25 737-8s shows its confidence in the value the aeroplane brings to its airline customers," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

Based in the IFSC in Dublin Ireland, SMBC Aviation Capital is the second largest aircraft operating lease company globally by number of aircraft, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of just under 900 aircraft. The company focuses on the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and narrowbody aircraft types, providing customers across the globe with the aircraft they need to successfully grow their businesses.  Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprised of two of Japan's biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation. 

SMBC Aviation Capital orders 65 A320neo Family aircraft

One of the leading aircraft leasing firms SMBC Aviation Capital has signed a firm order for 65 A320neo Family aircraft, made up of 15 A321neo and 50 A320neo the European aircraft manufacturer has confirmed. 

The deal was finalised at the end of 2018 and will be added to the 2018 year-end figures, Airbus says. With more than 6,500 orders received from over 100 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo family has attained around 60% of the market share.

With this latest addition, SMBC Aviation Capital ordered a total of 71 aircraft from Airbus during 2018. In addition, the agreement includes an upsizing of 15 A320neo from a pre-existing order to 15 of the largest member of the single-aisle Family – the A321neo – taking SMBC Aviation Capital’s total for the type to 30. With its unbeatable seat mile cost, longer range and wider cabin, the A321neo offers airlines the flexibility to expand their networks using wide-body cabin products on new longer-haul routes which were not previously possible with a single-aisle jetliner.