Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG), a global aircraft asset manager headquartered in Newport Beach, California, has placed a firm order for 75 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. The order takes ACG’s total historical orders for the aircraft family to 190. The latest purchase is the largest aircraft order in ACG’s nearly 40-year history. The company said its fleet strategy focuses on new-generation narrowbody aircraft that are in demand among airlines worldwide.
Thomas Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG, said the order reflected the company’s confidence in the long-term prospects of air travel and its role in connecting airlines with aircraft and capital. He said the investment would support ACG’s strategy of providing aircraft that meet airlines’ fleet requirements.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business, said the order strengthened the companies’ long-standing relationship, which began with ACG’s first direct order with Airbus in 2007. He added that the purchase would allow ACG to offer A320neo Family aircraft to airline customers into the next decade.
The Airbus A320 Family is the world’s most widely ordered single-aisle aircraft family, with more than 20,400 orders globally. Its range includes the A320neo and A321neo, which are designed to serve a variety of short- and medium-haul routes. According to Airbus, the A320neo Family delivers at least 20% lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous-generation single-aisle aircraft. The aircraft also feature cabins designed to provide passenger comfort, with a wide single-aisle layout.
The A320neo Family is used by airlines across multiple markets and is a key option for operators seeking to renew or expand narrowbody fleets. Aircraft lessors such as ACG purchase aircraft and lease them to airlines, providing carriers with access to fleet capacity without requiring them to purchase every aircraft directly.
ACG’s new order adds to its existing relationship with Airbus and expands its portfolio of next-generation aircraft available to airline customers. The additional aircraft are intended to support the company’s leasing business as airlines continue to manage fleet replacement, capacity requirements and operating costs.
Airbus manufactures the A320neo Family as part of its commercial aircraft portfolio. The aircraft family’s fuel-efficiency improvements are intended to help operators reduce fuel use and emissions while maintaining the operating range and capacity required for a broad range of airline routes.
