The market for the A321 is obscured by the popularity for leasing and operating the A320. Because of its larger size, the A321 has generally been ordered and operated by the larger airlines. The larger airlines have the traffic to support the larger variant and possess a network that requires a number of units. Buying in larger quantities enables customers to secure significant discounts such that leasing is of lesser relevance except that sale and leasebacks become more attractive. Lessors are conscious that the placement of an A321 will likely be with a larger operator who prefers to buy rather than lease. Remarketing potential is therefore more limited and the larger airlines will be less willing to pay higher rentals. A number of lessors have therefore found it more difficult to place used A321s at anything that matched original sale and leaseback rates. In the event A321s are prematurely handed back to an operating lessor, there can be a delay in finding a lessee willing to pay the desired rental.
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