AerCap Signs Purchase and Leaseback Agreements with Virgin Atlantic for Six New Airbus A330NEO Aircraft
Rhea-AI Summary
AerCap (NYSE: AER) signed purchase and leaseback agreements with Virgin Atlantic for six new Airbus A330-900 (A330neo) aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q2 2026 and continue through Q4 2027. AerCap said the A330neo will support Virgin Atlantic's widebody fleet renewal, improve operational performance, and lower emissions. Virgin Atlantic noted the incoming A330neo fleet will debut larger Premium and Upper cabins and more Retreat Suites, reinforcing its focus on a younger, more efficient transatlantic fleet.
Positive
- Signed purchase and leaseback for 6 A330-900
- Deliveries scheduled Q2 2026–Q4 2027
- Fleet renewal for Virgin Atlantic widebody fleet
- Lower emissions and improved operational efficiency
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, AER gained 0.36%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
AER slipped 0.37% while key peers like FTAI, UHAL, URI and GATX showed gains between about 0.69% and 1.44%, pointing to stock-specific softness rather than a sector-driven move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06 | Debt offering | Neutral | -0.6% | Pricing of $1.75B senior notes for general corporate purposes. |
| Jan 05 | Earnings date set | Neutral | +2.4% | Announcement of Q4 2025 results release and investor call date. |
| Jan 05 | Portfolio update | Positive | +2.4% | Strong 2025 leasing, purchases, sales and $13.2B in financings. |
| Dec 23 | Aircraft delivery | Positive | -0.3% | First of ten Airbus A321neo delivered to Thai Airways on lease. |
| Dec 09 | New lease customer | Positive | +0.8% | Lease agreements for two A321neo aircraft with new customer My Freighter. |
Recent operational and leasing announcements have more often aligned with mild positive price reactions, with occasional divergences on fleet news.
Over the last several months, AerCap has combined portfolio growth with active capital markets activity. It priced $1.75 billion of senior notes on Jan 6, 2026 and reported strong 2025 portfolio actions, including 371 leases and $13.2 billion in financings. The company also expanded relationships with airlines such as Thai Airways and My Freighter via new Airbus neo-family leases. Today’s Virgin Atlantic A330neo purchase-and-leaseback fits this pattern of adding modern, fuel-efficient aircraft under long-term lease structures.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights AerCap’s continued role in financing next-generation fleets, adding six Airbus A330neo aircraft for Virgin Atlantic with deliveries from Q2 2026 to Q4 2027. It extends a long-standing partnership and reinforces demand for fuel‑efficient widebodies. In context of recent note offerings and active leasing with multiple airlines, investors may watch upcoming earnings, funding activity and additional lease signings to assess how these deals translate into revenue growth and returns.
Key Terms
purchase and leaseback agreements financial
widebody technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
"We are delighted to deepen our long-standing partnership with Virgin Atlantic - one of the world's most innovative airlines - through this important transaction," said Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. "The A330neo is one of the most sought‑after aircraft globally, combining advanced technology with exceptional efficiency. These aircraft will play a key role in Virgin Atlantic's widebody fleet renewal, supporting its commitment to sustainability by lowering emissions and enhancing operational performance."
Ansar Hussain, Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Atlantic commented: "We have invested billions to fly the youngest, most efficient fleet across the Atlantic. The A330neo aircraft entering our fleet this year will debut larger Premium and Upper cabins, as well as more Retreat Suites - our most spacious suite yet. We're grateful for our enduring partnership with AerCap, which allows us to offer our customers the very best of the iconic Virgin Atlantic experience in the sky."
About AerCap
AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is based in
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2025, the airline was voted
Alongside shareholder and partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023, as the global airline alliance's first and only
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900's to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts are "forward-looking statements". In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "will," "aim," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the availability of capital to us and to our customers and changes in interest rates; the ability of our lessees and potential lessees to make lease payments to us; our ability to successfully negotiate flight equipment (which includes aircraft, engines and helicopters) purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to repossess flight equipment under defaulted leases, and to control costs and expenses; changes in the overall demand for commercial aviation leasing and aviation asset management services; the continued impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, including the resulting sanctions by
As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. These and other important factors and risks are discussed in AerCap's annual report on Form 20-F and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information regarding AerCap and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.aercap.com.
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SOURCE AerCap Holdings N.V.
FAQ
What did AerCap announce about Virgin Atlantic aircraft orders on January 13, 2026?
How will the AerCap (AER) deal affect Virgin Atlantic's fleet in 2026–2027?
Does the AerCap and Virgin Atlantic agreement mention cabin changes for the A330neo?
What environmental benefits did AerCap cite for the A330neo leasebacks (AER)?
When will AerCap (AER) begin delivering the six A330-900 aircraft to Virgin Atlantic?
Will the AerCap leaseback be part of Virgin Atlantic's transatlantic fleet strategy?
