PARIS, 20 June 2011. Commercial aircraft leasing specialist GE Capital Aviation Services in Stamford, Conn., is ordering 60 Airbus A320neo passenger jetliners -- the so-called future new-engine option version of the popular medium-range narrowbody A320 -- as well as 15 orders and 15 options for the European ATR 72-600 short-haul regional turboprop passenger aircraft. GE Capital made the announcement today at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France.The deal for the AFT-72-600 regional passenger planes is worth $680 million, GE Capital officials say. No dollar figure was released for the A320neo deal. The A320neo, which should enter service in 2015, is an advanced Airbus A320 with choices of either the CFM International LEAP-X or the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G PurePower engine.The A320 family has exceeded 7,000 firm orders for Airbus, company officials say. The A320neo, in addition to the new efficient engines, will have large wing tip devices called sharklets to help conserve fuel.
The ATR 72-600 regional aircraft seats 68 to 74 passengers, and has a maximum range of about 900 miles with full passenger load.
For more information contact GE Capital Aviation Services online at www.gecas.com, Airbus at www.airbus.com, ATR Aircraft at www.atraircraft.com, or the Paris Air Show at www.paris-air-show.com.
