SMBC Aviation Capital places 200‑aircraft order at Farnborough, split between Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo families

At the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, global aircraft‑leasing firm SMBC Aviation Capital announced a combined order for 200 new narrow‑body jets. The deal includes 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft – 60 of the high‑capacity 737‑10 variant and 40 of the 737‑8 – marking SMBC’s first purchase of the 737‑10 model and bringing its total 737 MAX portfolio to 450 aircraft. In the same transaction SMBC confirmed a firm order for 100 Airbus A320neo‑family aircraft, comprising 65 A321neo and 35 A320neo machines, cementing its position as one of Airbus’s largest A320 customers.

The orders are intended to meet rising airline demand for fuel‑efficient, high‑seat‑density aircraft and to secure long‑term delivery slots as the industry grapples with production bottlenecks. SMBC’s CEO Peter Barrett said the commitments reflect “long‑term confidence in the market and in the efficiency of these aircraft,” while Airbus and Boeing highlighted the significance of the combined 200‑aircraft purchase for their commercial pipelines.

The transaction underscores the pivotal role of aircraft lessors in supporting global fleet renewal and expansion, especially as passenger traffic is projected to grow about 4 % annually over the next two decades.