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Joe Breitfeller

United Airlines Leases 20 Airbus A321neos From SMBC Aviation Capital

SMBC Aviation Capital has announced that United Airlines has signed definitive lease agreements for 20 Airbus A321neo aircraft.  The aircraft will be delivered from 2026 from SMBC’s direct orderbook with Airbus.


United Airlines Airbus A321neo - Courtesy United Airlines

On Thursday (September 19, 2024), SMBC Aviation Capital announced that United Airlines has signed definitive lease agreements for 20 Airbus A321neos, which will be delivered starting 2026 from SMBC’s direct orderbook with Airbus.  This announcement is in addition the a recently completed sale and leaseback transaction between SMBC Aviation Capital and United Airlines for 20 Boeing 737-8 MAX jets.   


In Thursday’s announcement, United Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer, Michael Leskinen, said,


“The relationship between SMBC and United has never been stronger and these leases are a meaningful part of our efforts to optimize our balance sheet and to increase our return on capital.  We thank SMBC for its continued support and partnership.”


Also commenting on the new lease agreements, SMBC Aviation Capital’s Chief Commercial Officer, Barry Flannery, said,


“These, new, more fuel efficient aircraft will allow United to further grow their fleet and we are delighted to support them in this strategy.  These agreements highlight the importance of our long-standing relationship with United and we look forward to many more years of successful partnership.”


Established in 2001, Dublin-based SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors and currently serves nearly 100 airline customers in 36 countries.  The company has an owned and managed and committed portfolio of over 1,000 aircraft and focuses on technologically advanced fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft types.  In 2012, SMBC was acquired by a consortium of two of Japan’s biggest companies, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and Sumitomo Corporation.


 

Source: SMBC Aviation Capital


 

 

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