December 3 2013, Hong Kong – China Aircraft Leasing Company (“CALC” or the “Company”), a fast growing Hong Kong-based aircraft leasing company, is pleased to announce that it has taken delivery of its first aircraft, an A319, part of its 36 A320 Family aircraft order.

The purchase agreement was signed with Airbus for 28 A320 and 8 A321 aircraft. CALC’s total investment is valued at US$3.4 billion at current average list prices. With this delivery CALC currently owns and manages a portfolio of 25 commercial aircraft.

The delivery took place at Airbus’ facilities in Finkenwerder, Hamburg. Andrew Shankland, Senior Vice President Leasing Markets of Airbus, as well as Mike Poon, Chief Executive Officer of CALC and Mr Zhang Hui Yu, Vice President of Sichuan Airlines, were present during the special ceremony to celebrate this important milestone in the corporate history of CALC. Mr Shankland said, “We are proud to deliver the first A320 Family aircraft, an A319 with Airbus’ fuel saving Sharklets, to CALC and welcome CALC as new Airbus customer.”

Mr Poon said: “We are pleased to receive the first of the A320 Family aircraft we ordered and, at the same time, enter in a new partnership with Sichuan Airlines for their fleet expansion.”

The A319 aircraft is especially equipped for high altitude operations and is leased by CALC to Sichuan Airlines. The leading Chinese airline based in Chengdu is taking advantage of the A319’s exceptional takeoff and climb characteristics to service airports such as Lhasa, Jiuhuang and other airports in western China.

Not only is this aircraft the first to be delivered from CALC’s own portfolio, it is also the first lease cooperation between CALC and Sichuan Airlines. This aircraft is Sichuan Airlines’ first A319 to be equipped with Airbus’ fuel-saving Sharklets. This aircraft is equipped with IAE V2527M-A5 engines.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. These new wingtip devices are designed to enhance the fuel-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family and result in up to four percent lower fuel burn over longer sectors.

As the largest red chip aircraft lessor in China, CALC has been enjoying competitive advantages through its strategic dual-platform structure, which enables the company to provide flexible and competitive leasing solutions to its customers. CALC’s independent structure also makes it possible to obtain a wide range of sustainable source of financing. Over the last two years, CALC has introduced China Everbright Limited (“CEL”) as well as China Aerospace Investment Holdings Limited (“CAIH”) as its strategic investors. These investments helped broaden CALC’s shareholder structure, and enabled the company to better leverage its position as the country’s largest independent aircraft leasing company.