Will Finance Up To 35 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Aircraft

AerCap has entered into a purchase-leaseback arrangement with American Airlines to finance up to 35 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, including 29 firm deliveries, scheduled to be delivered to American. Of the 29 firm deliveries, 26 are previously ordered aircraft and three are newly ordered aircraft. The arrangement also covers six Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft subject to purchase rights that, if exercised by American, would be scheduled for delivery in 2013 - 2014.

AerCap will purchase the aircraft from American and immediately lease the aircraft back to American under a purchase-leaseback financing arrangement.

"We are pleased to significantly expand our relationship with AerCap and diversify our financing strategies. This arrangement is a great reflection of the flexibility we have to efficiently raise capital in support of AMR's strategic fleet renewal efforts," said AMR Chief Financial Officer Bella Goren, in a news release Friday. "With this major aircraft transaction we will deepen our relationship with one of the world's leading airlines.  Furthermore, this transaction will materially increase the number of Boeing 737-800 aircraft in our portfolio, one of the most in-demand and fuel-efficient aircraft in the world," said Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of AerCap.

Updating its previously announced fleet schedule, American has exercised an option to purchase three additional 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. As of July 1, 2011, American's Boeing 737-800 delivery schedule was: 2011: 15, 2012: 28, 2013: 14.

The financing of each aircraft under this arrangement will be subject to certain terms and conditions.

FMI: www.aercap.com, www.aa.com