Air Lease becomes launch customer for Airbus A350 freighter
Air Lease Corporation has become the launch customer for the Airbus A350 freighters after it placed a provisional order for seven of the new freighter aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. The order is part of a wider agreement for 111 Airbus aircraft.
The agreement is for 25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos and includes seven A350Fs. The order which will be finalized in the coming months, makes the Los Angeles based ALC one of Airbus’ largest customers and lessor with the biggest A220 order book. Founded in 2010, ALC has ordered a total of 496 Airbus aircraft to date.
The A350F, based on the world’s most modern long range leader optimized for cargo operations offering at least 20% lower fuel burn than the competition and the only new generation freighter aircraft ready for the 2027 ICAO CO2 emissions standards.
“With this major order, we underscore our confidence not only in the strong future and growth of global commercial air transport, but in ALC’s business model, in our specific aircraft purchase decisions including, for the first time, the new A350 Freighter, and finally in our long term view that ordering new aircraft is an optimum investment of our shareholder capital,” said John L. Plueger, Air Lease Corporation CEO and President.
“Moreover, we and Airbus hereby announce the first ever joint ESG initiative in aircraft procurement by creating a multi-million dollar fund for sustainable aviation development projects critical to the future.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International said, “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 in 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.”
The aircraft’s capacity is expected to be around 90 tonnes.
