CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing, delivered the first of four Airbus A320neo family aircraft on long-term lease to Russian airline Aeroflot.

Aeroflot took delivery of the first aircraft, a new A320neo, on May 14 at Airbus’ delivery center in Toulouse, France. The remaining three deliveries will include two additional A320neos and one A321neo, which will be received by the carrier later this month.

“We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship between Aeroflot and CDB Aviation,” Peter Goodman, chief commercial officer of CDB Aviation, said, adding that “these modern aircraft will deliver the right mix of operational efficiency and flexibility” to support Aeroflot’s fleet optimization as the carrier works toward its strategy 2028 and seizes on opportunities in the Russian and international air transportation markets.