GECAS delivered the first of four A320neo headed to Yunnan Hongtu Airlines (Hongtu Airlines). The delivery marks the first LEAP-powered A320neo to enter service with Hongtu.

As announced at Farnborough 2018, Hongtu Airlines (operating as Air Travel) has agreed to lease four of the new-technology narrowbodies from GECAS’ skyline orderbook.

Launching operations in May 2016, the Kunming-based airline has more than doubled its fleet in the past year, with 9 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family – including A319, A320 and A321.

“We are privileged to support the expansion of Hongtu Airlines’ fleet with new technology aircraft,” explains Li Liu, GECAS’ executive vice president and regional manager commercial, Greater China.

“We are very pleased to add this new neo provided by GECAS into our operations,” said Jiazhu Wu, chairman of Hongtu Airlines “The commonality with our existing Airbus aircraft and the enhanced efficiency provided by the LEAP engines make the neo a strong complement to our fleet.”

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is an aviation lessor and financier. For over five decades, GECAS has offered a broad array of financing products and services, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, asset sales and servicing, and airframe parts management. It serves over 250 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 21 offices around the world.