AerCap has Placed an Additional Firm Order for 100 Family Aircraft
- Joe Breitfeller
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Airbus has today announced that aircraft lessor AerCap Holdings has placed a firm order for 100 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, including 23 A320neos and 77 A321neos.
On Wednesday (March 18, 2026), Airbus announced that international aircraft lessor AerCap Holdings N.V. has signed a firm order for 100 Airbus A320 Family jets, including 23 A320neos and 77 A321neos, including the exercise of previously agreed firm options. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2034. Today’s transaction underscores AerCap’s strategy of investing in the world’s most in-demand, fuel-efficient technology to meet the long-term requirements of their global airline customer base.
In Wednesday’s announcement, AerCap’s CEO, Aengus Kelly, said,
“This order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft reflects our strong belief in the long-term demand for these highly efficient aircraft and will help meet the continued demand we see from our customers for both growth and replacement needs. As the world’s largest owner of commercial aircraft, our strategy is clear: we invest in the assets that provide our airline customers with the best economics and the lowest emissions. This landmark transaction ensures that AerCap will continue to lead the industry in fleet modernization well into the next decade.
Also commenting on the large A320neo Family order, Airbus Commercial Aircraft’s EVP – Sales, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, said,
“This order is the largest single direct order for the type ever placed by AerCap with Airbus, and is a powerful endorsement of the A320neo Family’s enduring value and market-leading performance. We are extremely grateful and proud to support AerCap’s vision in accelerating the global transition towards newer, modern aircraft and more efficient operations.”
In connection with this transaction, AerCap will also enter into long-term lease agreements with CFM International for 48 LEAP-1A engines through their Shannon Engine Support (SES) joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines, with deliveries beginning in the second quarter of 2026. SES is the leading provider of LEAP spare engines for CFM.
Further commenting on the CFM LEAP-1A transaction, AerCap’s CEO, Aengus Kelly, added,
“By working closely with three of our long-standing partners - Frontier Airlines, CFM and Airbus – today’s transaction will drive long-term growth for AerCap through a portfolio of highly desirable, in-demand aircraft, while enabling Frontier to optimize its fleet. This agreement also supports both Airbus and CFM in meeting their market-leading production and in-service commitments.
“In addition, we are pleased to announce the exercise of 45 of our existing options with Airbus, along with the addition of a further 55 A320neo Family aircraft to our orderbook.”
The world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft, the Airbus A320 Family has won over 19,000 orders globally. The A321neo, the largest derivative, offers unparalleled range and performance. The Family offers at least 20 percent fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky. Like all Airbus aircraft, the A320 Family can operate with up to 50 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Airbus is targeting to have their aircraft up to 100 percent SAF capable by 2030.
AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) is the global leader in aircraft leasing and maintains one of the most attractive order books in the industry. The company serves around 300 customers in 80 countries with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is headquartered in Dublin and maintains offices in Shannon, Miami, Memphis, Singapore, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Dubai, Seattle, Toulouse, and other locations around the world.
Source(s): Airbus, AerCap / PRNewswire
