CIT Group announced that CIT Aerospace has placed an order with Airbus for 10 A350 XWB aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2019.

“This order for Airbus A350 XWBs will further expand our portfolio of medium-to-long haul aircraft,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, President of CIT Transportation Finance. “As one of the leading lessors in the world with more than 110 twin aisle aircraft currently in our portfolio and on order, CIT Aerospace maintains one of the youngest, most fuel efficient fleets in the industry. This new order underscores our commitment to delivering highly efficient aircraft to our global customer base.”

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, said, “We are very confident that our A350 XWB Family will perfectly meet long haul operators’ needs by offering them the highest levels of comfort and efficiency. This repeat order for the A350 XWB from CIT clearly demonstrates this to be the case.”

This order adds to CIT’s total order book as of September 30, 2012 of 157 aircraft of which 88 were Airbus aircraft. Including this latest announcement, CIT has ordered a total of 253 Airbus aircraft comprising 187 A320 Family, 51 A330 Family and 15 A350 XWB Family.

CIT Aerospace provides financing solutions to a broad spectrum of the global aerospace value chain ranging from operators of commercial and business aircraft to manufacturers and suppliers in the aerospace and defense industries as well as financial institutions.