China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings (CALC) has signed an order with Airbus for 40 new A321neo and has converted an outstanding order for 15 A320neo into the A321 variant. The list price for the aircraft is $107 to $117 million, although CALC has no doubt negotiated a significant discount. The order will be delivered in stages through to 2026.
The largest variant of the A320 family, the aircraft has a range of 5926 km, (3200 nm) cruises at 832 km/hr an MTOW of 93.5t and significantly carries up to 240 passengers, although usually operates with 220. Customers have a choice of two engines; the LEAP-1A from CFM or the Pratt & Whitney 1100G-JM. The NEO has a fuel consumption 10% better than the CEO A321.
The A321 is proving immensely popular around the world with CALC alone having 66 on order with just a single aircraft leased to Hawaiian at this point. The Chinese lessor has ordered a total of 252 examples of the A320 family whilst leasing examples of the A330, 737NG and MAX and COMAC aircraft.
CALC was the first lessor in China, having been established in 2006. It offers a full value chain service from supplying new and used aircraft to disassembly, recycling and everything in between. Based in Hong Kong, CALC’s customers include carriers including ANA, Air France, China Southern, Delta and Juneyao.
The question now is, who’s in the market for some shiny new A321neo?
