Airbus has officially launched the A321neo with 97 tonnes Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) having secured the first commitment from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The Los Angeles based lessor signed an MoU for 30 more A321neo, upsizing its commitments at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow from 60 to 90 and becoming the launch customer for Airbus’ increased range option.

The A321neo 97t will have, with 4,000nm, the longest range of any single aisle airliner available today.

“We are excited to be the first to sign for the new longer range version of the A321neo,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Air Lease Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer. “ALC wants a footprint in every promising market segment, including ones that can be opened by this new version of the A321neo. We pride ourselves in being able to provide our customers with the very latest, most innovative products and solutions.”

“We are delighted to officially launch the A321neo 97t option with ALC,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, Customers. “ALC is a forward-looking company who has once again demonstrated its confidence in Airbus’ latest products and innovations just six months after being a launch customer for the A330neo.”