Paris Airshow: ALAFCO orders a further six A350 XWBs
ALAFCO - the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance Company - has signed an agreement for six more Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. This repeat order brings ALAFCO's total order for the A350-900 to 18 aircraft. The deal was signed at the 49th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.
ALAFCO placed its first order for the A350 XWB in 2007 when it ordered 12 A350-800s. these were later upsized to the larger A350-900 in 2010. The A350-900 typically has a capacity of around 40 more seats than the A350-800.
Ahmad Al Zabin, ALAFCO’s chairman and chief executive officer said: “This order reflects a strong recovery in long haul traffic demand from our customer airlines. The A350’s position as the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class is a great asset in our aircraft portfolio.”
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer customers said: “This order echoes the market demand for larger more fuel efficient long haul aircraft. We are delighted that ALAFCO has selected our A350-900 as the reference aircraft for their long haul leasing business. To get a repeat order from a lessor, is a great vote of confidence in the A350 XWB.”
Analyst Saj Ahmad said: "ALAFCO's additional A350XWB orders signals a return to leasing confidence in the GCC, particularly in the wake of DAE curtailing much of its orders that it placed back in 2007. Critically, despite the delays to the A350 family, ALAFCO has opted to grow its portfolio at a time when it knows that slots are hard to come by at Airbus, there won't be any shortage of takers for these airplanes.
"With airlines all chasing new fuel efficient airplanes, ALAFCO is slowly, but prudently moving to ensure it has the newest and cleanest airplanes on tap - with growth in the GCC continuing unabated, this may well be the first of many orders the Kuwaiti lessor makes, particularly for wide bodied airplanes. Given the delays to the A350XWB family, it will be interesting to see whether ALAFCO elects to buy 777s as a short/medium term solution for its customers."
The A350 XWB (Extra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,500 nm / 15,600 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314 and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout.
The A350 XWB has the widest fuselage in its category, said to offer the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. With power supplied by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of volatile fuel prices, rising passenger expectations and environmental concerns. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 574 from over 36 customers.