Sale-Leaseback Agreement Is First Major Deal Since Buying Allco Aviation

Hong Kong Aviation Capital ("HKAC") says it will lease three new Airbus 320 aircraft to IndiGo Airlines of India. The leases will start on delivery of the aircraft new from Airbus to IndiGo in 2011. In addition, HKAC announced Monday the agreement by IndiGo to extend the leases of four existing A320 aircraft.

The three new A320s will be delivered at manufacturer list prices totaling approximately $200 million, and will be on lease to the airline for a period of six years. HKAC is closing the purchase of the new aircraft with support from significant Chinese banking and financial institutions. Upon delivery of the new aircraft, HKAC will have a total of ten A320s on lease to IndiGo. The transaction expands its existing 68 aircraft portfolio with assets totaling approximately $3 billion.

HKAC is an Aviation leasing and investment company that includes HNA Group Co., Ltd., China and an affiliate of Bravia Capital, New York as shareholders.

Following the successful acquisition of the Allco aviation portfolio in January 2010, HKAC has transitioned the existing fleet and management, brought on key senior hires, and adopted a new business plan, to leverage its significant capital position by providing liquidity to operators with a target of growing the business to a top 5 operating lessor.

"The announcement of this deal, coming so quickly after the transition of HKAC's business model, demonstrates HKAC's strong ambitions in the aircraft leasing business and is an important step in the company's continued development and global expansion," said Mathis Shinnick, CEO of Hong Kong Aviation Capital. "This transaction demonstrates our belief in the business model of IndiGo and its continued success. We believe IndiGo is a very well-run airline in India, as evidenced by its proven profitability, strong operating metrics, and balance sheet stability. We believe this deal will be very positive for HKAC, its shareholders, and the airline."

"We are extremely optimistic about the Indian aviation market," said Bharat Bhise, CEO of Bravia Capital Partners. "Following the 2008 downturn, India has seen one of the strongest rebounds globally and current demand levels and load factors are the highest ever. IndiGo has set the standard for the LCC space in India by profitably running an airline despite daunting hurdles of high costs primarily as a result of poor infrastructure."

FMI: www.hongkongaviation.com