CIT adds ten A350 XWB aircraft to its portfolio

Repeat order from top lessor confirms strong market demand for A350 XWB
3 JANUARY 2013 PRESS RELEASE


CIT Group Inc. (NYSE CIT), a global leader in transportation finance has placed a firm order for 10 A350-900s. This is the second time CIT has ordered A350 XWBs and brings the lessor’s total backlog for the type to 15.

“This order for Airbus A350 XWBs will further expand our portfolio of medium-to-long haul aircraft,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, President of CIT Transportation Finance. “As one of the leading lessors in the world with more than 110 twin aisle aircraft currently in our portfolio and on order, CIT Aerospace maintains one of the youngest, most fuel efficient fleets in the industry. This new order underscores our commitment to delivering highly efficient aircraft to our global customer base.”

“We are very confident that our A350 XWB Family will perfectly meet long haul operators’ needs by offering them the highest levels of comfort and efficiency,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “This repeat order for the A350 XWB from CIT clearly demonstrates this to be the case.”

Including this latest announcement, CIT has ordered a total of 253 Airbus aircraft comprising 187 A320 Family, 51 A330 Family and 15 A350 XWB Family.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The new Family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, with CIT’s order included, the A350 XWB has already won 572 firm orders from 34 customers worldwide.