Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CDB Leasing Corp. (CLC) to cooperate in aircraft financing and leasing.

Airbus and CLC will share competence and experience on a variety of leasing and financing projects, such as pre-delivery payment financing for Airbus aircraft, delivery financing of new and used Airbus aircraft and passenger to freighter conversion projects.

The Chinese firm will provide financing to various airlines buying Airbus aircraft through sale and leaseback transactions worth up to $4bn over the next five years.

The MoU will include financing on all Airbus aircraft types, including aircraft assembled at the Airbus final assembly line in China.

CLC may also purchase a number of aircraft directly from Airbus for future leasing needs.

CLC president Wang Chong said that through this cooperation, CLC would expand its market share in the field of aviation leasing and support the development of the aviation industry, especially in China.