United signs for 40 leased A321neos amid narrowbody jet shortage

United Airlines signed during the third quarter “definitive agreements” with unnamed aircraft lessors to lease 40 Airbus A321neo jets, with deliveries expected in 2026 and 2027. As of 30 September, United entered ”into leases with rental obligations of approximately $4b for several mainline aircraft, regional aircraft under [capacity purchase agreements], airport facilities and office space, none of which had commenced as of such date”, the carrier said in a 16 October filing with the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). “These leases will commence between 2024 and 2027, with lease terms of up to 12 years,” it adds. United’s decision to lease additional Airbus narrowbodies comes amid significant delivery delays by both Airbus and Boeing, with the latter manufacturer suffering from a weeks-long machinists’ strike that has ceased 737, 767 and 777 production. And roughly one third of the global A321neo fleet has been grounded by Pratt & Whitney’s recall of hundreds of geared-turbofan engines, which require lengthy inspections and repairs of potential manufacturing defects. Altogether, the issues are severely restricting the availability of narrowbody aircraft for airlines worldwide. <br/>