Asia-Pacific airlines took delivery of 113 of the 221 new airliners delivered during the last month of 2018, well ahead of North America and Europe, where each region took 37 new aircraft.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that December was the year’s biggest month for deliveries as airframers rushed to meet full-year delivery targets.
Still, the world’s 221 deliveries was down from 239 deliveries in December 2017. Although Asia-Pacific airlines had their biggest month of the year for deliveries, they took eight less aircraft than in the last month of 2017.
Global commercial aircraft deliveries by region
Airlines in the Middle East took 13 new aircraft, while those in Latin America took 11. African airlines took 10 new aircraft.
Among Asia-Pacific countries, Chinese carriers took 55 new aircraft, accounting for one quarter of global deliveries. Indian carriers had a massive month, with 23 new aircraft delivered. Airlines in Vietnam and Japan followed with six deliveries each.
Asia-Pacific commercial aircraft deliveries - December 2018
Two Asia-Pacific carriers had double-digit Decembers, with China Southern Airlines and IndiGo each taking 10 new jets.
From Airbus, China Southern received three A320neos, one A321neo, and an A330-300. From Boeing it received three 737 Max 8s, one 737-800, and one 787-9. IndiGo received seven A320neos, one A321neo, and two ATR 72-600s.
Asia-Pacific deliveries by Airbus, Boeing
Several carriers took multiple new aircraft including SpiceJet (seven), Air China (six), GoAir (five), Hainan Airlines (five), VietJet (four), Lucky Air (four), and China Eastern Airlines (four).
Among airframers, Airbus led Asia-Pacific deliveries for the month, with 59 aircraft against Boeing’s 40. In the narrowbody segment, it delivered 47 A320ceo and A320neo family jets against Boeing’s 33 737NG and Max jets.
Asia-Pacific deliveries by type - December 2018
In the widebody segment, Airbus delivered six A330-300s, four A350-900s, and one A350-1000 against Boeing’s deliveries of six 787-9s and one 787-10.
Lessors had a very active December in the region, with involvement in 59 of the 113 deliveries. ICBC led activity with involvement with 11 deliveries to eight carriers. It delivered five A320neos to China Southern, Sichuan Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines. It also delivered four 737 Max 8s to Air China, Kunming Airlines and SpiceJet, as well as one 737-800 each to China Southern and Donghai Airlines.
Lessor involvement in Asia-Pacific deliveries - December 2018
Other active lessors included AerCap (eight deliveries), GECAS (four), Jackson Square (four), and SMBC (four).
Source: Cirium Dashboard