Press Release

SALE Takes Delivery of New A321

18 Dec 2001

Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (S.A.L.E.) has taken delivery of its latest Airbus single aisle aircraft - an A321 for operation by Italian carrier Volare Airlines. The aircraft was handed over to S.A.L.E. at the Airbus flight line in Hamburg, Germany earlier today (Singapore time) for immediate transfer to the airline’s in-service fleet.

The new A321 is the 21st Airbus single aisle aircraft to be delivered to S.A.L.E., out of total firm orders for 50 aircraft from the A320 family. Taking into account the resale of some aircraft and acquisitions from airlines, the current S.A.L.E. A320 family portfolio now totals 20 aircraft, comprising one A319, 16 A320s and three A321s. S.A.L.E. is the largest single customer for the A320 family from the Asia-Pacific region. 

Powered by CFM-56 engines, the new A321 joins an existing A320 family fleet of 18 aircraft at Volare, which operate on the airline’s scheduled domestic and international charter network.

“We are pleased that the latest delivery has proceeded to schedule and happy to see one of our aircraft flying for the first time in the colours of Volare,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director of S.A.L.E. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the airline.”

The hand-over of the Volare A321 completes S.A.L.E.’s new aircraft delivery schedule for the current fiscal year, ending March 2002. Next scheduled deliveries to the lessor will be in the middle of 2002, with the hand-over of two Boeing 777-300s, both of which have already been placed for long-term lease with Dubai-based Emirates. In the meantime, S.A.L.E. will continue to evaluate the acquisition of additional aircraft through purchase and leaseback transactions.

Established in 1993, S.A.L.E. has swiftly grown to become the world’s leading Asiabased aircraft leasing company, with a current portfolio of 41 modern aircraft and 21 customers in 15 countries across the world. The company has 31 more aircraft on firm order with Airbus and Boeing for delivery through to 2008.

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Photograph of Volare A321 available on request