Avolon advances JetSmart fleet growth with milestone aircraft delivery

An Irish aviation finance specialist has reinforced its role in global aviation leasing, delivering a landmark aircraft to a fast-growing South American airline as demand for modern, fuel-efficient fleets accelerates across international markets.

Dublin-headquartered Avolon, one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, has delivered the 50th aircraft into the fleet of JetSmart, a South America-based low-cost carrier operating across multiple Latin American markets. 

The delivery of an Airbus A321neo represents the final aircraft in a four-strong A320neo family placement, marking a significant fleet milestone for the airline and underscoring the strategic importance of next-generation narrowbody aircraft in regional aviation growth.

The aircraft strengthens JetSmart’s operational capacity at a time when airlines across Latin America are expanding networks to meet rising passenger demand and improve connectivity between major and secondary cities. 

For Avolon, the transaction reflects the continued relevance of leasing models that allow airlines to scale efficiently while managing capital exposure.

Paul Geaney, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Avolon, said: “We are excited to share this milestone with JetSmart and celebrate their phenomenal growth story since their launch in 2016. The four aircraft we are leasing will support JetSMART’s growth strategy to better connect Latin America, one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets. With our large orderbook, we are well-placed to support our airline customers growth plans and refleeting needs into the next decade.”

Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSmart, commented: “This delivery marks a significant milestone in our journey, and our growth reflects the strength of our long-term vision for the business. The addition of these new-technology aircraft enhances our operational efficiency and gives us the flexibility to expand our network, delivering low-fare travel to passengers across South America.”

Explore the full story to understand how aircraft leasing is shaping airline growth across emerging aviation markets.

(Photo credits to Mike Burdett from CROMER, UK/CC BY-SA 2.0)