CIT Group Inc. announced that CIT Aerospace has signed purchase agreements with Airbus for 15 A330-900neo (new engine option) aircraft and five A321-200ceo (current engine option) aircraft. Deliveries of the A330-900neo are scheduled to begin in 2018 and deliveries of the A321-200ceo are scheduled to begin in 2015.
“Given our long-term leadership on the A330 program, we are proud to be one of the first customers to sign a purchase agreement for the all-new A330neo aircraft,” said Jeff Knittel, President of CIT Transportation & International Finance. “These agreements will enable us to provide fuel efficient solutions to our customers as CIT continues to be a leader in providing early access to the most sought after aircraft for our customers.”
John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, said, “When a leading lessor, CIT, adds the A330neo to its already extensive Airbus widebody portfolio of A330ceo’s and A350-900s, we take that as clear confirmation of our widebody family strategy fully meeting the requirements and expectations of the market. CIT’s repeat order for A321ceo’s, is further evidence of the continuing high value placed by the market on this largest member of our popular A320 Family, which offers the best seat-mile costs of any single-aisle aircraft and the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint in its class.”
The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus Widebody Family launched in July 2014 with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features. Benefitting from the unbeatable economics, versatility and high reliability of the A330, the A330neo reduces fuel consumption by 14% per seat, making it the most cost efficient, medium range Widebody aircraft on the market. In addition to greater fuel savings, A330neo operators will also benefit from a range increase of up to 400 nautical miles and of course all the operational commonality advantages of the Airbus Family.