Earlier this week, AerCap (one of the big aviation lessors) firmed up an order for 100 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, having exercised some options in the process to make up the number.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2034. The order will be broken down as 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo aircraft.
Supporting this will be an additional lease agreement with CFM International for 48 LEAP-1A engines through its Shannon Engine Support (“SES”) joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines, with deliveries beginning in the second quarter of 2026.
SES is the leading provider of LEAP spare engines for CFM.
So, where does Frontier Airlines come into this?
Let’s look at the quotes.
Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, said:
“By working closely with three of our long-standing partners – Frontier Airlines, CFM and Airbus – today’s transaction will drive long-term growth for AerCap through a portfolio of highly desirable, in-demand aircraft, while enabling Frontier to optimize its fleet. This agreement also supports both Airbus and CFM in meeting their market-leading production and in-service commitments.”
“In addition, we are pleased to announce the exercise of 45 of our existing options with Airbus, along with the addition of a further 55 A320neo Family aircraft to our orderbook,”
So yes, it seems some of these 100 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft will be for Frontier Airlines.
In Further Quotes
In a statement given by Airbus, Mr Kelly adds:
“This order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft reflects our strong belief in the long-term demand for these highly efficient aircraft and will help meet the continued demand we see from our customers for both growth and replacement needs,”
“As the world’s largest owner of commercial aircraft, our strategy is clear: we invest in the assets that provide our airline customers with the best economics and the lowest emissions. This landmark transaction ensures that AerCap will continue to lead the industry in fleet modernization well into the next decade.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, added:
“This order is the largest single direct order for the type ever placed by AerCap with Airbus, and is a powerful endorsement of the A320neo Family’s enduring value and market-leading performance,”
“We are extremely grateful andttt proud to support AerCap’s vision in accelerating the global transition towards newer, modern aircraft and more efficient operations.”
Pipelines Matter
For AerCap and Frontier, they’ve done something important – they’ve secured a pipeline of deliveries of aircraft and leases on engines.
With delays and backlogs continuing to be a thing in aerospace manufacturing (with both the major OEMs having issues with supply chains and other delivering), whilst both Airbus and Boeing have large production rates, the backlogs are only increasing at this point.
Getting aircraft into the pipeline is going to be key for airlines and lessors, as manufacturers work out ways to deliver aircraft.
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You missed the part where Frontier is downsizing by 24 aircraft and is in pretty dire straights financially. Now with oil prices going through the roof this will only cause new problems for Frontier. I don’t thing Frontier will be taking deliveries of any aircraft anytime soon