SMBC Aviation Capital has placed one A321neo with South Korean low-cost carrier Air Busan.
The aircraft comes from the lessor’s orderbook and will be powered by CFM International Leap engines. It is scheduled for delivery in February 2021.
Cirium fleets data shows that SMBC has 35 A321neos in its orderbook, comprising of 12 equipped with Leap-1A engines, another 12 with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G engines, and 11 with unannounced engine orders.
Among these, two Leap-1A-powered A321neos will be delivered in the next two years, likewise six PW1100G-powered aircraft committed to Singapore’s Scoot.
“The addition of this A321neo aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital to our fleet is in line with our fleet expansion strategy and with our objective of operating fuel efficient, technologically enhanced aircraft,” states Han Tae-Kuan, Air Busan’s president.
Brian Harvey, chief marketing officer at SMBC, adds: “We are very pleased to work with new customer Air Busan as we assist the airline with its expansion strategy and in parallel deepen our footprint in this region.”
SMBC announced earlier this month that it had completed operating leases with Scoot and Air Busan via the Global Aircraft trading System (GATS), a new electronic platform for aircraft trading and financing deals. The lessor expects to sign with other airlines shortly, via the same platform.
