Category: Leasing News (Page 1 of 7)

Malaysia Aviation Group to add 12 Aircraft in 2024

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Sepang, Selanger, Malasia, January 29, 2024 – As part of its ongoing fleet modernisation plan, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is set to induct 12 new aircraft in 2024, including its first Airbus 330-900 (A330neo) which is scheduled to arrive in the third quarter of 2024. The Group is looking to receive four of the new aircraft type this year, alongside eight Boeing 737-8 aircraft to support its network growth requirements.

In August 2022, MAG signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon for the acquisition of 20 A330neo aircraft which are scheduled to be delivered through 2028. 10 of the aircraft are directly purchased from Airbus with a back-to-back sale and leaseback arrangement with Avolon, while the remaining 10 are leased directly from Avolon. The acquisition underscores the Group’s steadfast commitment as it seeks to provide modernity and elevate the standards of its service offerings, while ensuring that it can support the post-pandemic growth of the aviation industry.

With the introduction of these new seats, Malaysia Airlines is poised to become the flagship carrier in the world to feature the Elevation seats on the A330 airframe. The A330neo will comprise of 297 seats (28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy Class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom).

Transavia France takes delivery of its first A320neo

January 10, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, January 10, 2024 – French low-cost carrier Transavia France, part of the Air France-KLM Group, has taken delivery of its first Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A320neo, on lease from Avolon, from Airbus manufacturing site in Toulouse. The airline has opted for the Airbus option to have the delivery flight to Paris-Orly powered by a sustainable aviation fuel blend on board.

The new aircraft features 186 seats in a single class layout. Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, reduced emissions and comfort, the A320neo will be deployed by Transavia France on its services on its domestic network as well as across its European and Mediterranean markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

South African Airways expands partnership with SunExpress

December 26, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Johannesburg, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SunExpress (a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines), to support the national carrier’s operations with four aircrafts in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The MoU is an add-on to the current six-month damp lease agreement, which was started in October this year and include the lease of two Boeing 737-800’s as well as maintenance and cockpit crew. The MoU was signed by SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki and SAA CEO Prof. John Lamola at a joint press event in Johannesburg, on Thursday, 14^th December 2023.

In addition to plans to increase the number of damp lease aircraft, SAA and SunExpress are currently exploring options for a multi-year reciprocal capacity support and further cooperation with regards to maintenance, training and commercial support.

Finnair acquires six leased aircraft & repays part of pension loan

December 19, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Finnair Oyj (Helsinki: FIA1S) executed a rights issue of 570 million euros in November 2023. Thanks to the strengthened balance sheet and cash funds resulting from the rights issue, Finnair has now purchased six previously leased A321 aircraft from BOC Aviation. Finnair will spend in excess of 200 million euros on the transaction, and its positive impact on both profit before taxes and cash flow will be in excess of 20 million euros per year over the next few years.

Finnair has also repaid an additional tranche of 120 million euros of its 600-million-euro pension premium loan in December in addition to the previously planned 100-million-euro instalment. The December instalment, including interest, totals approximately 230 million euros, after which the remaining loan amount is 280 million euros, to be repaid during May 2025 at the latest. The impact of the additional loan repayment of 120 million euros on profit before taxes will be approximately 3 million euros in 2024 in the form of lower net interest costs.

In connection with the rights issue announcement in autumn 2023, Finnair supplemented its financial targets, which were based on the assumption that e.g. the company’s cash to sales ratio would remain at 30 per cent over time. As a result of the aircraft purchases and the loan repayment, Finnair’s cash to sales ratio is close to but still exceeds the target of 30 per cent.

These measures are a part of Finnair’s strategy implementation and support reaching financial targets by the end of 2025. In addition, these measures will contribute to reaching Finnair’s target of reinstating shareholder distributions, based on the 2024 result, starting from spring 2025.

Forward-Looking Statements

Eve Air Mobility hosts customer advisory board

December 18, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Melbourne, Florida, December 18, 2023 – Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) held its Customer Advisory Board meeting last week at its headquarters in Melbourne, Florida. Customers and partners from 12 companies and nearly every continent came together to discuss the aircraft, operations, ecosystem readiness and services and solutions.

Eve’s Customer Advisory Board includes a wide variety of operators including fixed-wing and rotorcraft operators and lessors, all with the objective of co-creating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. The discussions included optional items and vehicle configuration and passenger cabin experience. In addition, attendees also received a program and product update from Eve´s leadership.

Eve also took the opportunity to highlight its worldwide sales and support network which includes a broad customer support infrastructure. Eve’s customers will also benefit from Embraer’s global service and support network which includes 10 existing services centers and 66 third-party service centers around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Air Lease delivers first of seven Airbus A321-200neo aircraft to Transavia

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Los Angeles, California, December 15, 2023, Business Wire – Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced one new Airbus A321-200neo aircraft delivered to Transavia Airlines, a subsidiary of Air France KLM SA (Paris: AIRF). This aircraft is the first of seven new Airbus A321s confirmed to deliver to Transavia on long-term lease from ALC’s order book with Airbus and the first A321-200neo to join the Dutch carrier’s fleet.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lufthansa Group completes sale and leaseback of twelve aircraft

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) has entered into an agreement for a sale and lease back of twelve short-haul aircraft. The transaction reflects the Group’s strategy to finance investments in new aircraft through a mix of cash, Japanese Operating Leases (JOLCO’s) and operating leases. The sale and lease back supports the modernization of the fleet of the Lufthansa Group Airlines. New and modern aircraft lower fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and improve ex fuel unit costs.

The transactions were executed with two counterparties, Clover Aviation Capital and long-term business partner BBAM (Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management), for the sale and lease back of twelve Airbus A320 family aircraft at favorable commercial terms. The aircraft are up to two years old and are currently operated by Lufthansa Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine and Eurowings. The sale generates proceeds of 600 million EUR in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the aircraft leased back for a term of 72 months. The resulting lease obligation is recognized as debt under IFRS 16 and amounts to 200 million EUR.

A book gain of 100 million EUR resulting from the sale will be recognized in EBIT. The book gain will not be included in Adjusted EBIT, with the transaction already included in Lufthansa Group’s financial outlook. This assumes net capex to amount between 2.5 and 3 billion EUR in 2023.

Forward-Looking Statements

Avolon orders another 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 12, 2023 – Avolon, the international leasing company, has signed a firm order for another 100 Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A321neo aircraft, taking its total order for the A321neo to 190 aircraft. The agreement secures Avolon’s delivery pipeline for the world’s preferred single aisle Family.

With this latest agreement, Avolon’s total firm order-tally directly from Airbus rises to 632 aircraft, and includes A320, A330 and A350 Families. In September, Avolon ordered 20 A330neo aircraft to take advantage of growing global widebody demand.

The A321neo is the largest member of the Airbus A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date more than 5,600 A321neo’s have been ordered by more than 100 customers across the globe.

Forward-Looking Statements

ITA Airways receives its first Airbus A321neo

November 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Hamburg, Germany, November 10, 2023 – ITA Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A321neo on lease from Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) from Airbus’ Hamburg production facilities.

This latest addition further consolidates ITA Airways’ all-Airbus fleet strategy, which currently stands at 81 aircraft, and includes latest generation A220, A320neo, A330neo and A350 aircraft.

ITA Airways’ A321neo, which will serve the airline’s medium haul routes, is fitted with a three class configuration including 12 Business Class full flat beds with direct aisle access, 12 Premium Economy seats in 4-abreast, and 141 Economy seats of which 12 are dedicated to Comfort Economy.

ITA Airways’ A321neo aircraft features Airbus’ Airspace cabin design, which includes new XL overhead bins and customised interior lighting based on the latest full-LED technologies to help reduce jet lag. In addition, to enhance the passenger experience, each seat is equipped with the latest generation in-flight entertainment system with individual screens and on-demand content.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Air Niugini orders 6 Airbus A220 aircraft

November 3, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, November 3, 2023 – Air Niugini, the national flag carrier of Papua New Guinea, has signed a firm order with Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) for six latest generation single aisle A220-100’s under its fleet modernisation program. In addition, the carrier will acquire three A220-300s and another two A220-100’s from third party lessors.

The order was announced at a special event in Port Moresby by Gary Seddon, Acting Chief Executive Officer Air Niugini and Anand Stanley, President Airbus Asia-Pacific, in the presence of the Honorable James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Honorable William Duma, Minister for State Enterprises.

Air Niugini also announced that it has selected a flight planning support system from Airbus subsidiary NAVBLUE for its fleet. Called N-Flight Planning (N-FP), the solution will help the airline optimise on fuel, time and cost to meet operational needs, while ensuring overall safety and compliance.

Forward-Looking Statements

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