Saudi Leasing Firm AviLease Places Major Order for 40 Airbus Jets as Aviation Expansion Accelerates

A model of an Avilease Airbus plane is seen during a firm order signature between AviLease and Airbus for Airbus A350F freighters and A320neo Family aircraft, during the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Paris (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AviLease, a Saudi aircraft leasing company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed its first direct purchase agreement with Airbus, placing a firm order for 40 aircraft, including 30 single-aisle jets and 10 A350 freighters, as the Kingdom scales up its aviation ambitions.

The announcement was made Monday at the opening of the Paris Airshow, the world’s largest aviation exhibition, marking a strong start for Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the sector. AviLease CEO Ted O’Byrne revealed at a press conference that the company also secured options for additional aircraft, potentially bringing the total order to 77 jets in the future.

This move comes as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the national economy beyond oil and expand the private sector, including major investment in aviation and logistics.

In a parallel development at the airshow, Riyadh Air, another PIF-owned carrier, signed an order for 25 A350-1000 aircraft, further boosting Saudi Arabia’s long-haul fleet capabilities. These orders mark a strategic pivot to balance supply sources, following a wave of Boeing jet purchases during a U.S. diplomatic visit led by former President Donald Trump.

Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, and Edward O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, the global aircraft lessor headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shake hands after a firm order signature for Airbus A350F freighters and A320neo Family aircraft, during the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 16

“There is significant potential for growth in the Saudi market,” said O’Byrne. “Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy calls for more than doubling cargo and logistics infrastructure within the Kingdom.”

The new freighter order arrives amid shifting global trade dynamics and an aging fleet landscape. It underscores Saudi Arabia’s intention to modernize its cargo capabilities, with the A350 freighters supporting improved efficiency and capacity.

A large Saudi delegation, led by the Kingdom’s Minister of Transport, was present at the Paris Airshow to support ongoing international collaborations and promote Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy on the global stage.

Founded in 2022, AviLease currently manages a portfolio of 200 aircraft. The firm has set out to become one of the world’s top aircraft lessors and previously agreed in 2023 to acquire the jet leasing arm of Standard Chartered for $3.6 billion. As of 2025, AviLease has declared plans to grow its balance sheet from $8 billion to $20 billion by 2030, through a mix of acquisitions and new aircraft purchases.

Source: Reuters