CDB Aviation Delivers Second A321-200 to Asiana Airlines
Delivery Marks the First New Airbus Aircraft to Join the Fleet of Asiana Airlines’ Subsidiary Air Seoul
HAMBURG, Germany – December 19, 2017 – CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC (“CDB Aviation”), a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited (“CDB Leasing”), announced that on December 18 the company delivered the second new Airbus A321-200 aircraft to South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines. The aircraft will be sub-leased to the airline’s subsidiary Air Seoul, representing the first new Airbus aircraft to join the low-cost carrier’s all-A321 fleet.
“We are pleased to deliver the second A321-200 to Asiana Airlines, which will be operated by its subsidiary and our newest Asia Pacific customer Air Seoul,” said CDB Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Hannigan. “We look forward to continuing to build a long-term relationship with Asiana Airlines, while supporting the growth of its low-cost carrier subsidiaries as they are striving to meet the robust air passenger demand in South Korea.”
Air Seoul commented: “As a brand that is based on the overflowing charm and allure of our city Seoul, Air Seoul is a company that aims to become the representative airline of Korea and open new pathways across the sky. Born with a goal of becoming the Safest Airline in the World, Air Seoul values customer safety as a top priority in its every business venture. Becoming the world’s best and safest airline and ensuring the happiness of our customers is our company’s goal, as is becoming a trusted airline that gives our customers the gift of a pleasant travel experience.”
“Through the services we provide as well as every aspect of our company, we seek to create Only at Air Seoul unique corporate values and a corporate culture that elicits the praise of Only at Air Seoul from our customers,” added the airline.
The aircraft is the second new A321-200 delivered by CDB Aviation to Asiana Airlines, the first of which was delivered to its subsidiary and low-cost carrier Air Busan in November.
About CDB Aviation Lease Finance
CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC (“CDB Aviation”) is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited (“CDB Leasing”), a 33-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world’s largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.
CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China’s leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business – listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606).
About Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines was founded in 1988 and has continued to maintain its 5-star rating by Skytrax for 11 consecutive years since 2007. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Asiana Airlines operates 77 international passenger routes to 63 destinations in 23 countries and 23 cargo routes to 25 cities in 11 counties. Asiana Airlines has recently introduced state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft with in-flight connectivity to provide the ultimate travel experience. Asiana’s A350 fleet is flying to San Francisco, London, Hanoi and Fukuoka. Asiana Airlines became a Star Alliance member in 2003.
About Air Seoul
Air Seoul is the latest South Korean low-cost carrier to hit the market. Under the Kumho Asiana Group, the airline is based at Incheon International Airport in Seoul and initially operated domestic flights before spreading to international operations in October 2016. It launched operations on 11 July 2016. International operations commenced in October 2016, with 16 routes covering seven countries, including to Osaka, Tokyo, Hong-kong, Macau, Guam, Siem-reap, and Kota Kinabalu. Air Seoul is the second Asiana Airlines low-cost carrier subsidiary after Air Busan.
Media contact:
Paul Thibeau
Paul.Thibeau@CDBAviation.aero
+1 612 594 9844