Singapore-based aircraft leasing firm BOC Aviation has announced a large new order of narrowbody aircraft, with both Boeing and Airbus sharing the spoils of the new contracts. On March 31, 20256, the leasing giant confirmed commitments for 70 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, while Boeing has benefited too, with an order for 50 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 twin-engine jets.
Both orders also include conversion rights to other variants of the respective narrowbody aircraft, according to a BOC Aviation statement. The aircraft will be used to bolster the lessor’s short-haul fleet of aircraft that will be made available for lease to the company’s growing list of existing clients plus potential new customers.
In terms of the Airbus order, the new aircraft are scheduled for delivery through to 2032 and can be converted from the A320neo into other variants of the same family, which includes the various sub-types of the larger A321.

“This transaction will lift our remaining Airbus order book to around 200 aircraft and takes our total Airbus aircraft deliveries to over 700 since our first order in 1996,” said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BOC Aviation. “This order solidifies our position as one of the top five global aircraft operating lessors and provides us with a strong delivery pipeline into the next decade. We look forward to providing more airline customers with this popular fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft.”
Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business added, “This new major order by BOC Aviation is a testament to its enduring confidence in the A320 family, the world’s most successful single-aisle aircraft. This significant investment makes BOC Aviation one of the largest Airbus customers and highlights the strong and continued market demand for our fuel-efficient aircraft and their long-term value. The A320 family delivers exceptional benefits to operators, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with BOC Aviation, providing airlines with cutting-edge fleet solutions.”
Meanwhile, the oder placed by BOC for 50 737 MAX 8 aircraft also allows for conversion to the larger MAX 9 and MAX 10s and will see the new being scheduled for delivery through to 2031. BOC Aviation currently has 215 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft in its portfolio which comprises the 737 MAX 8s and higher capacity 737 MAX 9.
“Our strong partnership with Boeing has led to this 50-aircraft order for the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft. With this transaction, we have commitments to purchase over 140 of these aircraft, which is the largest Boeing order book position in our history,” BOC’s Townend. “This order will enable us to continue providing our airline customers with technologically advanced aircraft for their future fleet growth.”
“BOC Aviation’s latest investment in the 737-8 demonstrates the confidence lessors have in this airplane to meet continued air travel demand and improve fuel efficiency,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “The 737 MAX 8 is much sought after by airlines due to its unmatched versatility, generating significant operational savings because of lower fuel consumption.”

This latest order with Boeing increases the lessor’s outstanding Boeing order book to 139 unfilled orders. BOC Aviation currently has 69 737 MAX airplanes on operating leases to more than 15 airlines worldwide, according to the company.
More about BOC Aviation
BOC Aviation, the aircraft leasing arm of the Bank of China, is a leading global aircraft operating leasing company with its global headquarters located in Singapore with other offices in Dublin, London, New York, and Tianjin. The company has a current portfolio of over 800 aircraft and engines owned, managed, and on order. Its owned and managed fleet was leased to 92 airlines in 48 countries and regions worldwide as of December 31, 2024.

In recent months, the company has announced lease deals with several airlines worldwide. Most recently, the firm signed a deal with Arajet of the Dominican Republic for five Boeing 737 MAX 8s, while in December 2024, it signed an agreement with pan-European operator TUI for 14 of the same type. Additionally, in August 2024, Turkish Airlines agreed to lease six A321neos from the lessor.
With single-aisle jets projected to account for 75% of global deliveries over the next 20 years, lessors are continuing to build their order books to support airlines’ fleet growth plans and replace less-efficient older jets, as demand for air travel continues to soar worldwide.