News releases
December 2011
Macquarie AirFinance leases one 757-200 to Air Astana
DUBLIN, 05 December, 2011 – Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered a Boeing 757-200 aircraft MSN 27971 to Kazakhstan operator Air Astana. Air Astana currently has two A320-200s on lease from Macquarie AirFinance.
Air Astana will integrate the aircraft into its network including flights from its Almaty base to Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The 757-200 will also be deployed on new routes to Hong Kong and Vietnam.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said: “Expanding our relationship with Air Astana has been high on our priority list and we are delighted to be able to assist the airline with the execution of its medium-haul strategy. The Boeing 757-200 provides a combined performance and range solution that has yet to be bettered in the 180 – 210 seat category and we have worked closely with Air Astana to ensure that our 757 allows the airline to deliver on its brand expectations. The expanding CIS market is important to us and we aim to increase our presence there as the airlines refresh their fleets.”
About Air Astana
Air Astana is a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only IOSA certified airline in Kazakhstan, having completed its 3rd IOSA re-certification in May 2011 with no findings. Air Astana is also the only commercial airline in Kazakhstan certified to perform aircraft maintenance on European standards EASA/Part 145. Air Astana is a joint venture of National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC and the British company BAE Systems, with shareholdings of 51% and 49% respectively. Air Astana’s fleet currently comprises 767-300, 757-200, A321, A320, А319, E190 and F50.
About Macquarie AirFinance
Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing company providing aircraft and capital to the world’s commercial airlines, and advisory and management services to aircraft owners. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company currently owns or manages 155 jet aircraft leased to 79 operators in 43 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information, please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Download PDF Press Release (PDF 68KB)
September 2011
Macquarie AirFinance appoints Liam Kavanagh as Head of Trading
DUBLIN, September 19, 2011 – Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced today that Liam Kavanagh has joined the company in Dublin as Senior Vice President of Trading, reporting to the CEO. He will be responsible for sales of leased aircraft to investors and acquisitions of aircraft from other lessors.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Liam into the team. His extensive experience in asset based finance makes him ideally qualified for the role."
Mr. Kavanagh started his aircraft finance career with National Westminster Bank, serving 10 years in corporate and investment banking with NatWest Markets and Greenwich NatWest. He joined Halifax plc (later HBOS) in 1999 where he led deal origination in North America and subsequently deal origination and airline relationship management on a global basis. He was appointed Head of Aircraft Finance in 2008 and most recently served as Managing Director and Head of Aircraft Finance at Lloyds Banking Group following the Lloyds TSB and HBOS merger.
About Macquarie AirFinance
Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing company providing aircraft and capital to the world's commercial airlines, and advisory and management services to aircraft owners. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company currently owns or manages 158 jet aircraft leased to 82 operators in 44 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information, please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Download PDF Press Release (PDF 74KB)
Macquarie AirFinance Delivers A320 to Volaris
DUBLIN, April 21, 2011 – Macquarie AirFinance, global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced that it has delivered an IAE V2427-A5 powered Airbus A320-200 aircraft to Volaris in Mexico. The June 2004-model A320, MSN 2204, was delivered to Volaris on 13 April. This is the third aircraft owned by Macquarie Group to be operated by Volaris, the other two being Airbus A319’s.
Volaris is a leading low cost carrier that started operations in 2006, offering value fares for leisure and business travelers to a variety of domestic Mexican destinations, as well as several cities in the United States. Volaris operates its fleet of 26 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.
Commenting on the transaction, John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said: “Macquarie AirFinance takes great pleasure in expanding our relationship with our valued customer, Volaris and to be part of the dynamic Mexican air transport industry.” Mr. Willingham said.
About Macquarie AirFinance
Established in 2006 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing company providing aircraft and capital to the world’s commercial airlines, and advisory and management services to aircraft owners. The company currently owns or manages 159 jet aircraft leased to 79 operators in 43 countries, across 6 continents.
About Volaris
VOLARIS is Mexico’s low-cost airline, with a modern fleet composed of twenty-six A320 Airbus airplanes averaging 4 years in service. Volaris serves 48 routes connecting 25 cities in Mexico and 6 in the US, including Los Angeles, Oakland/San Francisco, San Jose, and Fresno in California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Chicago, Illinois. The carrier started operations in March 2006 and has over 1,800 Ambassadors – or employees.
For further information, please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Download PDF Press Release (PDF 74KB)
Macquarie AirFinance Delivers 737-800 to Caribbean Airlines
DUBLIN, April 18, 2011 – Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered a Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Trinidad & Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines. The April 2007-model 737NG, MSN 30720, was delivered to Caribbean on 05 April. The delivery of this aircraft marks the first Macquarie AirFinance delivery to an airline in the Caribbean.
Caribbean Airlines succeeded BWIA in 2007 as the Port of Spain-based national carrier of Trinidad & Tobago, operating a variety of routes within the Caribbean region as well between the Caribbean, North America and South America. Caribbean Airlines is also the flag carrier of Jamaica via ownership of its subsidiary, Air Jamaica.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said: “We are delighted to add Caribbean Airlines and its subsidiary Air Jamaica to our growing list of valued customers around the world and we hope this is the first of many transactions for Macquarie AirFinance in the high-growth Caribbean market.”
About Macquarie AirFinance
Established in 2006 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing company providing aircraft and capital to the world’s commercial airlines, and advisory and management services to aircraft owners. The company currently owns or manages 159 jet aircraft leased to 79 operators in 43 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information, please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Download PDF Press Release (PDF 60KB)