BOC Aviation claims Airbus’ biggest backlog with extra 70 A320neo family aircraft
March 31, 2025
With this order taking BOC Aviation’s outstanding Airbus orderbook to around 200 aircraft, the lessor now possess the biggest backlog of Airbus aircraft to be delivered in the manufacturer’s history. “This order solidifies our position as one of the top five global aircraft operating lessors and provides us with a strong delivery pipeline into the next decade,” commented BOC Aviation CEO and managing director Steven Townsend.
Airbus EVP sales of Commercial Aircraft Benoit de Saint-Exupéry described the “major new order” as testament to BOC Aviation’s “enduring confidence in the A320 family,” which has won more than 19,000 orders globally to date to become “the world’s most popular single aisle aircraft”. He concluded that “this significant investment makes BOC Aviation one of the largest Airbus customers and highlights the strong and continued market demand for [Airbus’] fuel-efficient aircraft and their long-term value”.
Aircraft concluded 2024 with a backlog of 8,658 aircraft. However, amid persistent supply chain disruption (affecting engines, aerostructures and cabin equipment), it remained confident that A320 family production was on set to ramp up towards 75 units a month by 2027. If achieved, this would equate to 900 A320 family aircraft a year being built.
This significant and sizeable deal is a marked difference from a relatively poor February for Airbus sales, with the manufacturer receiving just 14 new aircraft orders within the month. These included eight A321neos for an undisclosed customer and six A321neos for Korean Air.
As of December 2024, BOC Aviation’s portfolio stood at over 800 aircraft and engines owned, managed and on order, with its owned and managed fleet leased to 92 airlines in 48 countries and regions worldwide.
