AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap”) (NYSE:AER) today announced the delivery of the first of three new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Sichuan Airlines on a long-term operating lease from AerCap’s order book with Airbus.

In 1995, AerCap leased to Sichuan Airlines their first Airbus A320, the first aircraft of its type in China, and in 2010 the airline took delivery of their first Airbus A330, on operating lease from AerCap.

AerCap’s President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said, “We are very proud to deliver to our longest-standing Chinese customer of 23 years, Sichuan Airlines, their first Airbus A350 aircraft. We are particularly proud that the aircraft will be the first A350 AerCap delivers to mainland China. The Airbus A350 aircraft will form the main pillar of Sichuan Airlines’ growth plans into the next decade, enabling the airline to provide a level of service and to fly to markets that were not possible prior to today. We wish Chairman Li Haiying and all the team at Sichuan Airlines every success in this next chapter of their journey.”

Sichuan Airlines’ Chairman Li Haiying said, “AerCap is one of the best and longest-standing partners of Sichuan Airlines. The successful delivery of this Airbus A350-900 will further strengthen the relationship between the two companies, and open a new chapter of cooperation and innovative achievements.”