Story ID: BOCairbus01072016
BOC Aviation Orders 30 A320-family Jets
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: $3.1 billion deal includes 18 A320neos
Word Count: 213
Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation on Thursday announced it has placed a firm order with Airbus covering 18 A320neos and 12 current-generation A320s worth $3.1 billion at list prices. The Bank of China subsidiary signed the deal last month, soon after shareholders approved BOC Aviation’s listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In October the bank said it planned to issue the $3 billion IPO in Hong Kong to finance more aircraft purchases.

“This order underscores our continued confidence in the reliability and operational efficiency of the A320 -family aircraft, and reflects its popularity among our customers for short- and medium-haul routes,” said BOC Aviation managing director and CEO Robert Martin.

“We appreciate the mutually beneficial and strong relationship we have built with BOC Aviation over the past 20 years,” added Airbus COO for customers John Leahy. “With this order, BOC Aviation becomes one of Airbus’ top 10 customers.”

Including this latest purchase agreement, BOC Aviation’s cumulative orders to date for new Airbus aircraft have reached a total of 306, consisting of 12 A330s and 294 A320-family narrowbodies, including 64 A320neos.

The deal comes less than two months after BOC Aviation placed an order for 11 Boeing 737-800s and 11 Boeing 737 Max 8s, scheduled for delivery from 2018 to 2021.