Airbus announces milestone deal with ILFC

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) signed a contract today at the Paris Le Bourget Air Show for the purchase of 111 Airbus aircraft, including five A380-800s and five A380-800F freighters, twenty one A330 aircraft and eighty A320 Family aircraft.

The world's largest new aircraft leasing company has reaffirmed its faith in the value of Airbus' modern and comprehensive product offering, ranging from the single-aisle A318 at the small end of the scale, to the 555-seat double-deck A380 superjumbo at the top end. Indeed, ILFC has doubled its initial commitment for five A380-800s, converting it into a firm order for both the passenger and the freighter versions.

ILFC's order for A330 aircraft would include a large number of A330-200 freighters, should Airbus decide to launch such a programme later in the year, making ILFC the launch customer for this new variant.

"The order reflects our continued commitment to Airbus' outstanding products and ever-increasing market presence," said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, ILFC's Chief Executive Officer. "We foresee further increases in the demand for these aircraft, including and in particular, for the A380, both in its passenger and freighter versions. Our co-operation with Airbus is excellent, and as you can see, we believe in building on it."

"When such a major industry player as ILEC makes such a large-scale decision, it is an excellent indicator that we are on the right track," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Noel Forgeard. "We are very appreciative of the level of ILFC's commitment to Airbus, in particular for the distribution and financing of our new products world-wide."

ILFC was a launch customer for Airbus' A380, but also for the A318, A319, A321-200 and the A330-200. ILFC is Airbus' largest single customer world-wide.

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