Alafco orders 6 more A350 planes

Kuwait-based international leasing company, Alafco (Aviation Lease and Finance Company), said Wednesday that it has signed an agreement for six additional Airbus A350 XWB (extra wide-body) aircraft, anticipating a surge in demand for larger aircraft types. This repeat order brings Alafco's total order for the A350-900 to 18 in a fresh deal signed at the 49th Paris Air Show. "This order reflects a strong recovery in long-haul traffic demand from our customer airlines. The A350's position as the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class is a great asset in our aircraft portfolio," Ahmad Al Zabin, Alafco's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement, adding that Wednesday's order echoes the market demand for larger more fuel efficient long haul aircraft. The A350 XWB family is Airbus' response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. Alafco placed its first order for the aircraft type in 2007 when it ordered 12 A350-800s, which were later upsized to the A350-900 last year. From / Gulf News