Singapore's BOC Aviation orders 30 Airbus jets worth US$3 billion

[SINGAPORE] Singapore-based aircraft leasing firm BOC Aviation said Thursday it has ordered 30 Airbus A320s worth more than US$3 billion at list prices to meet growing demand.

The order, made at the end of December, comprises 18 A320s equipped with new engines and 12 A320s using the current engines, the company said in a statement.

At 2015 catalogue prices, each re-engined A320 costs US$106.2 million and a standard A320 is worth US$97 million, according to the Airbus website. This would constitute a total catalogue cost of US$3.07 billion.

"This order underscores our continued confidence in the reliability and operational efficiency of the A320 family aircraft, and reflects its popularity among our customers for short- and medium-haul routes," said BOC Aviation chief executive Robert Martin.

"With this order, BOC Aviation becomes one of Airbus' top 10 customers," added John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers.

BOC Aviation, owned by Bank of China, is based in Singapore with offices in Dublin, London, Seattle and Tianjin. It is a key customer for both Airbus, based in France, and US rival Boeing.

Last November, the company announced an order of 22 Boeing 737 planes worth US$2.27 billion at catalogue prices.

The single-aisle A320 and B737 families are popular choices among low-cost carriers, which have expanded rapidly in Southeast Asia.

AFP