AerCap has placed a firm order for 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, comprising 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo jets, in one of its largest direct deals with the European manufacturer.

The Dublin-based lessor had a relatively limited Airbus backlog prior to the agreement, with just four A320neo and 44 A321neo aircraft still pending delivery, according to Airbus data as of February 2026. The new order significantly expands its forward pipeline at a time when demand for narrowbody aircraft remains high.

Airbus faces a backlog of 7,193 aircraft from the A320neo family and is working toward increasing production to 75 jets per month in the coming years. Even at that rate, clearing the existing order book would take close to a decade, pointing to delivery slots extending well into the 2030s.

Against that backdrop, AerCap may be seeking to secure earlier availability by taking over production positions from other customers, a common practice in a constrained supply environment.

“This order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft reflects our strong belief in long-term demand,” said chief executive Aengus Kelly, citing both growth and replacement needs among airline clients. Airbus said the deal represents AerCap’s largest single direct order for the type.

The A320neo family remains the best-selling narrowbody program, driven by lower fuel consumption and operating costs, and continues to dominate airline fleet renewal plans worldwide.