Air Lease Corp Chief Executive Officer Steven Udvar-Hazy believes airlines around the country will continue to pursue purchasing fuel-saving passenger jets despite the recent decline in fuel costs.
"These are short-term market dynamics. We have not seen any diminishing of airline interest in aircraft that are more fuel efficient," Udvar-Hazy said, according to Reuters.
"It's a natural market progression for an airline that operates an older A330 or A340. I've seen demand from every region of the world."
The fuel-saving jets in question are Airbus' A330 and Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner-both of these were said to lose popularity after Bent Crude prices decreased to approximately $81 per barrel. But, as Udvar-Hazy explains, a clear interest remains as his company is in talks with numerous airlines looking to order one of the fuel-saving jets.
A number of news sources are reporting that drops in jet fuel prices will not usher in travelling discounts or special offers from airlines since they will seek to save money in order to later purchase more aircrafts. The purchasing of new environmentally-accommodating aircrafts is also said to attract long-term investors.
The emphasis is now on "enhanced creditworthiness" and maintenance of responsibility in paying bills, Airlines For America economist John Heimlich suggests, according to Rhode Island Public Radio.
In recent months, airfares have increased for most airlines, especially those still struggling to pay off their debts after the most recent financial crisis.
