News releases 2008
Macquarie AirFinance and Qantas close A330-200 sale and leaseback
DUBLIN - 22 December 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has closed a sale and leaseback of one 2008-model A330-200 with Qantas, the flag-carrier of Australia. The aircraft, “Margaret River” MSN 940, is powered by GE CF6-80E1A4 engines. The transaction was arranged by Macquarie Capital and is the third A330-200 sale and leaseback arranged by Macquarie Capital for Qantas this year.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, commented: "We are delighted to close our first transaction with Qantas and to welcome such a strong and well-respected airline as a customer."
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 125 jet aircraft leased to 54 operators in 29 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance delivers second A320 to Spring Airlines
DUBLIN - 2 December 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered a CFM56 powered A320-200 aircraft to Spring Airlines in The People’s Republic of China. The aircraft, MSN 1852, was delivered to Spring on November 22nd and was previously operated by Eurofly of Italy. This is the second of three contracted aircraft that Macquarie AirFinance will provide to Spring Airlines. The remaining aircraft, MSN 1920, is scheduled for delivery in February 2009.
Spring Airlines is a Shanghai-based carrier offering value fares for leisure and business travellers to domestic Chinese destinations. Spring operates from three hubs in China: its home base of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport and Hainan Sanya Airport. John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is very pleased to have the opportunity to deepen its relationship with Spring Airlines.
"In these difficult economic times it is vital to have a strong customer base. We are therefore delighted to be able to build upon our relationship with Spring Airlines and further strengthen our position in the important Chinese air transport market," Mr Willingham said.
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 124 jet aircraft leased to 53 operators in 29 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance delivers A320 to Spring Airlines
DUBLIN - 14 July 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered a CFM56 powered A320-200 aircraft to Spring Airlines in The People’s Republic of China. The aircraft, MSN 1769, was delivered to Spring on July 7th and was previously on lease to Vueling Airlines of Spain. This is the first of three contracted aircraft that Macquarie AirFinance will provide to Spring Airlines and the remaining two, MSNs 1852 and 1920, are scheduled for delivery in October 2008 and February 2009.
This delivery marks the first Macquarie AirFinance aircraft to be delivered to a Chinese airline.
Spring Airlines is a Shanghai-based carrier offering value fares for leisure and business travellers to domestic Chinese destinations. Spring operates from two hubs in China: its home base of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Shanghai Pudong Airport. John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is delighted to have entered the Chinese market and hopes to expand its presence in the high-growth Greater China and Asian markets.
“We are delighted to be part of the vibrant Chinese air transport industry and we hope this is the first of many transactions for Macquarie AirFinance in this rapid growth region of the world. Spring’s business model of strong linkages with its parent travel company provides a firm base on which to expand its unique Chinese low cost carrier business,” Mr Willingham said.
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 130 jet aircraft leased to 57 operators in 32 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance delivers two A321s to Gulf Air
DUBLIN - 20 June 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered two A321-200 aircraft to Gulf Air. The two aircraft, MSN 675 and 761, were delivered on the 10th and 17th of June respectively. The aircraft were previously on lease to Royal Jordanian Airlines. With this delivery, Macquarie AirFinance will have three A320 family aircraft on lease to Gulf Air.
As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air is a leading carrier in the Middle East and Gulf region and will use the A321s to expand capacity on key regional routes. John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is pleased to expand its existing relationship with Gulf Air and will continue to seek opportunities to extend its presence in the rapidly growing Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 130 jet aircraft leased to 57 operators in 31 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance delivers A320 to TAM
DUBLIN - 18 June 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has delivered an A320-200 aircraft to TAM Airlines of Brazil. The aircraft, MSN 2044 was delivered to TAM on June 12th and was previously on lease to TAME Airline of Ecuador. With this delivery, Macquarie AirFinance will have three A320 family aircraft on lease to TAM.
TAM is Brazil’s largest airline with a strong domestic presence and a growing international network. John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is pleased to expand its relationship with TAM and to participate in the rapidly growing Brazilian market.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to expand our longstanding relationship with TAM. Brazil’s economy has been growing rapidly and TAM has made impressive efforts to improve its efficiency and to expand the Brazilian air travel market.”
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 130 jet aircraft leased to 57 operators in 31 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance closes sale-leaseback agreements for two additional A320S at Interjet
DUBLIN - 11 June 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has completed sale-leaseback transactions for two Airbus A320 aircraft with ABC Aerolineas (Interjet) of Mexico. The aircraft, MSNs 3508 and 3514, were delivered new to the airline on June 9th and June 11th respectively, and will remain with the airline under long-term leases. The aircraft are powered by CFM International CFM56-5B4/P engines. Macquarie AirFinance already leases one A320 to Interjet.
Interjet initiated service on December 5th, 2005, and operates a low-cost, low-fare network from its base at Toluca airport near Mexico City to 14 domestic cities as well as to Guatemala City. Interjet currently operates 11 A320 aircraft with 16 firm orders remaining.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is pleased to expand on its existing relationship with Interjet and noted that the acquisition of these aircraft fits into Macquarie AirFinance’s long term growth strategy.
“The acquisition of these two aircraft fits perfectly with our strategy to expand our young portfolio of popular in-demand aircraft. In a short time, Interjet has established an exciting franchise in the Mexican market. We look forward to building on the strong relationship between our two companies.”
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 130 jet aircraft leased to 58 operators in 31 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance closes $1 billion aircraft acquisition of credit facility
DUBLIN - 12 February 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced today that it has closed a $1 billion senior secured credit facility, allowing it to finance the acquisition of additional aircraft. The credit facility is structured to provide the company with up to seven years of financing.
The Lead Arrangers of the Facility are Alliance & Leicester Commercial Finance plc, DVB Bank AG and Bank of Scotland plc. Arrangers are J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Citicorp North America, Inc. and Fortis Capital Corporation. Alliance & Leicester acts as Facility Agent.
“We are extremely pleased with the support and commitment of the banks included in the facility financing” remarked John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance. “The length of term and other key features of the credit facility give Macquarie AirFinance significant flexibility to acquire modern in-demand aircraft that add value to our portfolio.”
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 128 jet aircraft leased to 60 operators in 32 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information, please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance closes sale - leaseback agreement on A320 at Interjet
DUBLIN - 12 February 2008
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has completed a sale-leaseback transaction for one Airbus A320 aircraft with ABC Aerolineas (Interjet) of Mexico. The aircraft was delivered new to the airline late last year and will remain with the airline under a long-term lease. The aircraft is powered by CFM International CFM56-5B4/P engines and represents Macquarie AirFinance’s first transaction with Interjet.
Interjet initiated service on December 5, 2005, and operates a low-cost, low-fare network from its base at Toluca airport near Mexico City to 14 domestic cities as well as to Guatemala City. Interjet currently operates 11 A320 aircraft with 16 firm orders remaining.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, said that the company is pleased to welcome Interjet as a new customer and noted that the acquisition of this aircraft fits into Macquarie AirFinance’s long term growth strategy.
“This acquisition fits perfectly with our strategy to expand our young portfolio of popular in-demand aircraft. In a short time, Interjet has established an exciting franchise in the Mexican market. We look forward to building on the strong relationship between our two companies.”
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, Macquarie AirFinance launched its presence in the industry through the acquisition of a majority of the aircraft leasing assets of GATX Corporation. The company currently owns or manages 128 jet aircraft leased to 60 operators in 32 countries, across 6 continents.
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310