Airbus orders continue to roll in

The competition for most order announcements between the big two commercial aircraft manufacturers continued unabated on Tuesday at Farnborough, when Airbus reported orders and Letters of Intent for 93 aircraft, including five A3XXs

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) has signed a Letter of Intent for 87 Airbus aircraft, including 5 A3XXs. The deal also covers up to 62 A320 Family aircraft and 20 A330- 200 widebodies. ILFC also said they were interested in the possible acquisition of up to 10 A330- 5OOs, subject to aircraft launch at a future date.

"Our analysis of the inherent and residual values and earning capabilities of Airbus aircraft continues to be borne out by the market and we are just as confident of securing airline placements for our A3XXs as for the rest of our Airbus fleet," said Steve Hazy, ILFC's Chief Executive Officer. "We are delighted to support the launch of the A3XX which we believe will become the flagship of the 21st century. We look forward to working with Airbus on all its existing and future programmes."

"We are proud to receive yet another resounding vote of confidence from this highly important leasing company," said Noel Forgeard, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus.

The lessor has so far been a launch customer for Airbus' A318, A319, A321-200, as well as the A330-200. ILFC is Airbus' largest single customer and this major deal, coming just months after the company's latest order for the firm purchase of 50 Airbus aircraft in May, could bring the total of Airbus aircraft in ILFC's portfolio to as many as 480.

On a lesser scale Finnair has ordered six additional aircraft from the Airbus A320 single-aisle Family. The contract for two A319s and four A320s was signed by Finnair's President Keijo Suila and Noel Forgeard. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from 2002 and will be operated on the carrier's European scheduled network.

Finnair was the first Nordic scheduled airline to choose the A320 when it signed a contract for twelve aircraft in 1997. The A320 Family aircraft were ordered primarily to replace DC-9s and MD-80s. To date Finnair has taken delivery of two A319s and four A321s. Finnair has selected CFM56-5 engines from CFM International to power its fleet of A320 family aircraft.

To date, some 2,500 firm orders have been booked for the Airbus A320 family, of which some 1,260 are flying with more than 90 operators world-wide.

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