News — 2017

SMBC Aviation Capital concludes three aircraft deal with new customer, Air Astana

07/12/2017

-Three A320neo placement from order book-

Almaty December 7th 2017: SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world's leading aircraft leasing companies today announced that it has concluded a three A320neo aircraft deal with Air Astana, the national flag carrier of Kazakhstan. This is a new customer for SMBC Aviation Capital and the aircraft will be provided from the company's order book of 110 A320neo aircraft with Airbus.

The A320neo will be fitted with Pratt and Whitney GTF engines and will have delivery slots in the last quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

Air Astana is the first operator of this type of aircraft in the Central Asian region and has plans to grow its neo fleet to 17 aircraft by 2020

Peter Barrett, Chief Executive of SMBC Aviation Capital said "We are very pleased to conclude this transaction with new customer, Air Astana, located in what is an increasingly important region for SMBC Aviation Capital. We look forward to delivering these aircraft from our order book and to the benefits that this new technology aircraft will deliver to our customer."

Peter Foster, President of Air Astana commented "We are pleased to conclude this transaction with SMBC Aviation Capital. Air Astana has plans to grow the fleet to more than 60 aircraft over the next 10 years and we look forward to becoming one of the largest A320neo Family operators in the region.The existing fleet of A320 aircraft have been a success in service over many years and the A320 Family is now destined to go further in both pleasing our discerning passengers and keeping our costs low."

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About SMBC Aviation Capital

SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies, with c. 100 airline customers in 42 countries. As of 30 September 2017, the company owns, manages and is committed to purchase 668 aircraft. Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprising two of Japan's biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation.

About Air Astana

Air Astana commenced scheduled flight operations on 15th May 2002 and currently operates a network of over 60 routes between 46 international and 20 domestic destinations from hubs in Almaty and Astana. Air Astana's fleet of 31 aircraft includes Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320 family including A320neo and Embraer E-190 types. In November 2016 Air Astana took delivery of its first A320neo. The carrier will take delivery of another 16 Airbus A320 neo family aircraft including four A321 LR. In addition to that Air Astana expects delivery of 5 E190-E2s during the final quarter of 2018 and between 2018-2019 and three Boeing 787 in 2019-2021. Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named 'The Best Airline in Central Asia and India's that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017

Media Enquiries:

Conor Irwin/Dara O’Sullivan
SMBC Aviation Capital

+353 1 859 9000

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Charles O'Brien
Partner
Finsbury

+44 0 7825 043 656

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