DUBLIN - AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) has today announced the delivery of the first Pratt & Whitney powered Airbus A320neo aircraft, on long-term operating lease to new customer, Qingdao Airlines.

AerCap is the world's largest Airbus A320neo Family lessor, with 270 aircraft owned and on order.

“We are very proud to deliver Qingdao Airlines’ first A320neo and we thank Qingdao for the trust they have placed in AerCap,” said Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap. “We wish President Wu Longxue and all the team at Qingdao every success with their fleet expansion plans and we look forward to working with the team for many years to come.”

“Today is an important milestone for Qingdao Airlines,” said Mr. Wu Longxue, President of Nanshan Aviation Industry Group & President of Qingdao Airlines Co. Ltd. ”We celebrate the delivery of our first A320neo, equipped with new generation P&W GTF engines, from AerCap, one of the largest lessors in the world. We are very confident of a successful and long-term relationship with AerCap”.

Founded in 2013 Qingdao Airlines is a growing Chinese airline with a fleet of 14 Airbus A320 aircraft. Qingdao Airlines operates over 40 domestic routes to over 30 destinations and will operate its first international route this year.