General Electric’s commercial aircraft leasing and financing unit GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has placed a firm order to purchase 100 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus.

GECAS’ new A320neo planes will be powered by CFM’s LEAP-1A engine.

This new order takes the total count of Airbus aircraft ordered by GECAS to around 600 aircraft, of which 220 are A320neo family aircraft.

GE Capital Aviation Services president and CEO Alec Burger said: “The A320neo family aircraft powered by CFM’s LEAP-1A engines, with now proven increased fuel efficiencies, longer range and higher seating capacity will continue to be one of our core assets in our lease portfolio.

“The A321 version has also gained strong acceptance from customers in various new markets, proving the versatility of the type.”

Airbus’ A320neo family features various advanced technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, which collectively deliver at least 15% fuel savings at delivery and 20% by 2020.

“The A321 version has also gained strong acceptance from customers in various new markets, proving the versatility of the type.”

Airbus has so far received more than 5,000 orders for the A320neo family from over 90 customers worldwide.

In a separate development, GECAS has signed a commitment letter with Caisse de dépôtet placement du Québec (CDPQ) to create a $2bn global aircraft financing platform.

This new Einn Volant Aircraft Leasing (EVAL) platform will acquire fuel-efficient aircraft from a diverse set of global airlines and leasing them back to airlines under long-term leases.

Closure of the deal is subject to conditions, including any regulatory approvals.

Image: An aircraft in GE Capital Aviation Services livery. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.