A320neo

Aircraft lessor Hong Kong Aviation Capital (HKAC) has placed an order with Airbus for 70 A320neo (new engine option) family airliners.

The leasing firm plans to buy 40 A320neo and 30 A321neo jetliners.

Finalised at the ongoing UK’s 2014 Farnborough Airshow, the agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the Paris Air Show last year.

HKAC CEO Donal Boylan said: "The green credentials of the neo is one of the key factors for us to choose the aircraft and through reduced fuel burn and emissions, HKAC will enable its airline clients to reduce operating cost while improving their environment impact.

"In addition, the A321neo will enable operators to deliver reduced operating cost per seat, and better compete where airport slots are restricted."

"The A320neo is said to offer 15% percent in fuel savings."

Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "The A320neo family is a valuable and profitable asset for lessors and operators."

With its advanced engines and large Sharklet wing-tip devices, the A320neo is said to offer 15% percent in fuel savings and help reduce 3,600t carbon emissions per aircraft each year.

Airbus has to date logged more than 3,000 orders from 57 customers for the A320neo family since its launch in 2010.

HKAC provides financing leasing services to airlines across the world, and it currently operates more than 50 single and twin-aisle Airbus aircraft.

Image: An A320neo aircraft. Photo: courtesy of master films / F Lancelot / Airbus SAS.

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