Global lessor AviLease places order for 77 Airbus aircraft at Paris Air Show

AviLease, the global aircraft lessor headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has placed an order for up to 77 Airbus aircraft, which include 22 A350F freighters and 55 A320neo Family aircraft, during Paris Air Show 2025. 

The order was announced on June 16, 2025, the opening day of the Paris Air Show, during a press conference attended by Edward O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales for the Commercial Aircraft division.  

This is the first official order to be announced at this year’s event in Le Bourget. Additionally, it marks AviLease’s first direct order from Airbus. 

Starting with an initial order for 10 A350F freighters and 30 A320neo family aircraft, the agreement includes a potential future increase to 22 A350F freighters and 55 A320neo family aircraft. 

“It’s not every day that we have the occasion to welcome a new customer in the family,” Exupéry said during the conference. “Established just a few years ago, AviLease has demonstrated incredible growth from sales and leaseback, portfolio acquisition to a managed fleet of almost 200 aircraft in just a couple of years.” 

“We worked throughout the last year with key stakeholders, airlines, to look at different options available in the market, and we ended up selecting the A350 freighter,” O’Byrne told media representatives gathered at the conference. “I’m very pleased to have afforded that aircraft. The second part of the order is A320 family order, and it’s a four-pronged element of the investment strategy of evidence.” 

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimized around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe of the aircraft is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-ton lighter takeoff weight than the competing derivative.  

According to Airbus, the A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.  

Meanwhile, the A320neo incorporates the latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and cabin efficiency enablers, which together deliver 20% fuel savings.  

According to O’Byrne, deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin between 2030 and 2033. 

RELATED

Pratt & Whitney announces A320neo engine upgrade option, extends wing time

The post Global lessor AviLease places order for 77 Airbus aircraft at Paris Air Show appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source