SMBC Aviation Capital orders 100 Airbus A320neo aircraft
Leasing company SMBC Aviation Capital has placed a firm order with Airbus for 65 additional A321neo aircraft and 35 A320neo aircraft. Both parties confirmed the deal at the Farnborough International Airshow on 20 July 2026.
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Airbus and SMBC Aviation Capital announced the order directly at the air show in Farnborough, United Kingdom. It is a firm order for A320neo family aircraft, not merely an option.
- A321neo ordered
- 65 units
- A320neo ordered
- 35 units
- Total aircraft
- 100
- Announcement venue
- Farnborough Airshow
- Date
- 20 July 2026
SMBC Aviation Capital CEO Peter Barrett said the order will ensure the company's leasing customers a steady supply of the latest A320neo family aircraft through the mid-2030s. He described it as building on a 25-year partnership with Airbus and as a statement of confidence in long-term demand for the aircraft family.
Commenting on behalf of Airbus, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales, called the order a confirmation of the ongoing partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital. He noted that the A320neo is the most leased and most traded aircraft in the world, making it a benchmark type for airlines, lessors and investors alike.
SMBC Aviation Capital already ranks among the largest customers for the A320 family. Together with its parent company, Sumitomo Corporation, it holds firm commitments with Airbus for more than 900 aircraft across all types the manufacturer offers.
Airbus describes the A320 family as the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft, with more than 20,200 orders. The largest member of the family, the A321neo, offers exceptional range and performance, according to the manufacturer. Airbus says the whole family delivers at least a 20 percent reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared with the previous generation of single-aisle aircraft, while retaining one of the roomiest cabins in the segment.