AerCap Holdings delivered the first Airbus A320neo on lease to China Southern Airlines, making the airline the first carrier in China to operate the aircraft type.

The delivery took place at a ceremony in the Airbus delivery center in Hamburg, Germany. This is the first of 24 A320neo aircraft to deliver to China Southern Airlines by AerCap, delivering through 2019.

AerCap has one of the largest Airbus A320neo family portfolios with a total of 219 owned and on order aircraft, delivering through 2021. In 2016 AerCap has already delivered the first A320neo to North America to Volaris followed by Spirit and Frontier Airlines.

“It gives us great pleasure to be the first lessor to deliver the A320neo aircraft on lease to longstanding customer, China Southern Airlines, Asia’s largest airline and we are particularly pleased to be the first to deliver the aircraft type to a carrier in China,” said AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly. “The A320neo aircraft is one of the most in-demand single aisle aircraft in the world, incorporating the latest technologies and the most fuel efficient engines. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with China Southern Airlines as the airline optimizes its fleet.”

AerCap is an aircraft leasing provider with, as of September 30, 2016, 1,607 owned, managed or on order aircraft in its portfolio.