Then Establishes A Joint Venture With Avolon To Own Three A330 Aircraft

AerCap Holdings has signed an agreement with Dublin-based aircraft leasing company Avolon for the sale of six A320s, the company announced Tuesday. Four of the aircraft were manufactured in 2010 and are part of the AerVenture portfolio, a joint venture between AerCap and Abu Dhabi's investment holding company Waha Capital. The other two aircraft are owned by AerCap and were manufactured in 2008. All aircraft have been sold with leases attached.

In addition to the A320 sale, AerCap has established a joint venture with Avolon which owns three of AerCap's A330-200 aircraft on long-term leases with Aeroflot. AerCap and Avolon will each contribute 50% of the equity required for this joint venture. AerCap will continue to manage the aircraft and the related leases.

AerCap's CEO Klaus Heinemann said: "Investor demand for new aircraft has significantly increased over the last few months, especially when linked to long-term leases with prime airlines. This market environment has provided attractive opportunities for us to sell aircraft from our young, fuel-efficient portfolio and from our order positions in order to achieve our diversification objectives and further optimize our portfolio."

A330 File Image

Domhnal Slattery, CEO of Avolon, added: "Following our successful $1.4 billion initial capital raise, we are pleased to announce this important transaction with AerCap and to welcome five new airline customers to Avolon. Our objective is to build Avolon into a leading player in the global aircraft leasing sector by deploying our capital effectively and in a manner which meets our airline customer requirements and our expected rates of return. Our primary focus will be on Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG family aircraft but, as today's announcement demonstrates, we retain the capability to invest in long-haul aircraft which meet our risk and return criteria."

FMI: www.aercap.com