PARIS (Reuters) – Asian-controlled leasing companies splashed out on passenger jets worth $25 billion at list prices to pick out bargains as planemakers Airbus and Boeing raced to end a relatively quiet year with fresh orders.

The deals for over 200 jets are expected to show up in end-year tallies from U.S. group Boeing and European rival Airbus this week, providing clues on how far trade tensions and economic uncertainty are dampening an already slowing aircraft market.

China’s ICBC Financial Leasing has firmed up an order for 80 Airbus A320-family jets worth $8.8 billion at list prices, industry sources said on Monday. It was not immediately clear whether ICBC would be publicly identified.

Airbus declined to comment on the deal, which sources had previously linked to a then-tentative order for 80 jets unveiled at last year’s Farnborough Airshow, with the Chinese buyer’s name kept under wraps amid rising trade tensions.

ICBC was not immediately available for comment.

The move is part of a buying spree from Asian lessors in the final hours of 2018 as Japanese-owned SMBC Aviation agreed to buy some 65 Airbus jets, the sources said. That comes on top of a 100-jet Airbus order from HNA-owned Avolon..

Reuters

Photo Rob Vogelaar