First A321neo models to enter service in Virgin America’s fleet in
2017
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing
and financing arm of GE, today announced it signed an agreement with
Virgin America, Inc., to lease 10 new Airbus A321neo aircraft powered by
CFM’s LEAP-1A engines to expand the carrier’s fleet.
The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2017 and the
remainder will deliver in 2017 and 2018. All 10 aircraft are part of
GECAS’ existing orderbook with Airbus.
“We have been a partner with Virgin America since their founding and
we’re thrilled they turned to GECAS to help them expand their fleet with
new, more efficient aircraft under lease,” said Norman C.T. Liu, GECAS
president and CEO.
“As Virgin America continues to grow its network, there’s no question
the Airbus A321neo is the right aircraft for us, and we were pleased to
work with GECAS to make today possible,” said Virgin America President
and CEO David Cush. “Not only will these aircraft allow us to further
reduce our unit costs and improve our revenue position, they demonstrate
our continued commitment to reducing carbon emissions and creating an
even more sustainable airline.”
The A321neo, featuring Airbus’ “Sharklets” and CFM’s LEAP-1A engines,
delivers per seat fuel savings of up to 20 percent, and provide the best
seat-mile costs of any single-aisle aircraft on the market.
Virgin America currently operates a fleet of more than 55 aircraft to
more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico.
About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in aviation
leasing and financing. With over 45 years of experience, GECAS offers a
wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies,
regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple
financing products and services including operating leases,
purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine
leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting. GECAS
owns or services a fleet of over 2,150 aircraft (~1,840 fixed wing/ ~310
rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans
collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves over 270
customers in over 75 countries from a network of 25 offices. www.gecas.com
GE (NYSE:GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming
industry with software-defined machines and solutions that
are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a
global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each
business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and
intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application
across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and
scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the
language of industry. www.ge.com
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