SMBC Aviation Capital has announced that it has signed a lease agreement with Icelandair for four Airbus A321LR aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to deliver from Q4 2024 and will be the first Airbus aircraft to be operated by Icelandair in their fleet. The Airbus aircraft will be leased pending the delivery of the aircraft ordered by Icelandair to replace their aging fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft. The new order with Airbus is for 13 A321XLR planned for delivery from 2029.
Commenting on the lease agreement, the President & CEO of Icelandair, Bogi Nils Bogason said, “We are very pleased to announce that we have now finalized agreements with Airbus. The A321XLR aircraft will further strengthen our business model, increase our flexibility and provide opportunities for future growth, as well as further support our sustainability efforts. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2029 but we plan to start operating Airbus aircraft no later than 2025 and have now secured four brand new A321LR aircraft on lease with SMBC Aviation Capital.”
Also commenting was the Chief Commercial Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital, Barry Flannery who added, “These fuel-efficient, modern aircraft will allow Icelandair to further grow their business and provide more options to their customers over the coming years and we are delighted to support this. The agreement to lease four Airbus A321LR aircraft to Icelandair highlights the importance of long-standing relationships and we look forward to many more years of successful partnership.”
