News releases 2009
Macquarie AirFinance bolsters teams in Asia and Europe
DUBLIN - 19 November 2009
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that Peter Tanner is transitioning to Vice President Marketing Asia and Stephen McCullen has joined as Vice President Marketing Europe / Middle East / Africa. Both appointments bolster Macquarie AirFinance’s existing marketing teams in each respective region.
Mr. Tanner, who will be based in Macquarie AirFinance’s newly opened Singapore office effective December 1, 2009, has been with Macquarie AirFinance since 2006 and most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for Europe and Africa. Prior to this, Mr. Tanner was with GATX Air in the company’s Technical Group, following extensive experience with Flightlease and Swissair in Zurich. Together with his colleagues Harry Forsythe and Ed Cislo, Mr. Tanner will be responsible for the coverage of a number of countries across the Asia / Pacific region.
Mr. McCullen, who will be based at the company’s headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, joins Macquarie from Amentum Capital in Dublin where he served as Vice President, Origination. Mr. McCullen has extensive experience working in Europe, the Middle East and Africa that also includes time spent working in engine leasing with Macquarie Aviation Capital.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Office of Macquarie AirFinance, said: “We are delighted to have both Peter and Stephen enter these key positions. Peter’s move to join our team in our new Singapore office will help to greatly expand and build our offerings in the fast growing Asia-Pacific market. In Dublin, Stephen’s broad experience in the region will round out and improve market coverage from our headquarters.”
“Through these two new assignments, Macquarie AirFinance continues to demonstrate its commitment to growth, and its desire to better serve its customers around the world,” Mr. Willingham added.
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 56 operators in 30 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance and flydubai conclude agreement to purchase and lease back B737-800
DUBLIN - 16 November 2009
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, today announced that it has concluded an agreement to purchase and lease back of one 2009-vintage B737-800 with flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline. The aircraft will be leased back to flydubai on a medium term basis.
This transaction further extends Macquarie AirFinance’s presence in the Gulf region and is particularly meaningful in that it is the company’s first transaction with a Middle-Eastern low cost carrier.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance said: “We are pleased to announce this new partnership with flydubai. The fast growing Middle East region is of great importance to Macquarie AirFinance and we are excited to expand our presence in the region with a partner as promising as flydubai. We believe that low cost carriers around the world, and flydubai in particular, have a promising future and we intend to position ourselves as one of their key providers of leasing transactions.
“Additionally, this acquisition serves to demonstrate our extensive portfolio of current-generation single-aisle aircraft, which has been the core of Macquarie AirFinance’s portfolio of leading planes,” added Mr. Willingham.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, of flydubai said: “We are pleased to be working with such a well respected name in the world of aircraft financing as Macquarie AirFinance and are delighted that they have chosen flydubai as their first Middle Eastern low cost carrier. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with them.”
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 123 jet aircraft leased to 55 operators in 30 countries, across 6 continents.
About flydubai
Established in March 2008 with start-up capital of AED 250 million, flydubai is Dubai’s first low cost airline. Owned by the government of Dubai, the airline will support the city’s commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travellers, providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations.
With flydubai, travellers can take 1 piece of hand baggage (weighing up to 10 kg) no larger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm on board without charge. If the bag does not meet the cabin requirements, it will be checked into the aircraft hold at a cost of AED 150. For a little extra, passengers can check a bag. Each bag purchased can hold up to 32 kg and not larger than 90 cm x 75 cm x 43 cm. If customers want to take more, an additional bag can be purchased, subject to availability.
Based on a low cost business model, flydubai offers a value-for-money product at an extremely competitive price. Its website “http:www.flydubai.com" will be an important interface for customers, together with a call centre (+9714 301 0800) and travel partners.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
For further information on flydubai, please contact:
Zahabia Motiwala or Rima Salman at the flydubai press office at Polaris PR. Telephone: (+9714) 341 5555.
Zahabia Motiwala
mobile: (+971) 50 768 9440
z.motiwala@polaris-me.com
Rima Salman
mobile: (+971) 50 273 4869.
r.salman@polaris-me.com
Heather Redpath, PR Manager for flydubai
Mobile: (+971) 50 9508420
heather.redpath@flydubai.com
Macquarie AirFinance opens Singapore office
DUBLIN - 12 October 2009
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced that it has chosen Singapore as the location for its new Asia/Pacific representative office. The Singapore office will be staffed initially by Harry Forsythe, Vice President Marketing, Asia/Pacific, an existing Macquarie AirFinance marketing specialist with considerable experience in the region.
The new office will enable Macquarie AirFinance to further develop its presence and customer base in the region, which is expected to be the prime area for growth in commercial aviation.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, commented: “We are excited to have an established office presence in Asia/Pacific and are eager to assist airlines in the region in developing their fleets through sale and leasebacks and leases of aircraft from our existing portfolio. This fast-growing, highly-populated region, with its healthy appetite for young aircraft, presents ideal prospects for our business model. We are delighted to be building our presence in Singapore and look forward to adding new members to the distinguished roster of Macquarie AirFinance customers.”
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 123 jet aircraft leased to 55 operators in 30 countries, across 6 continents.
Macquarie Aircraft Leasing Services (Singapore) Pte Limited
23 Church Street
#11-11 Capital Square
Singapore 049481
Tel: +65 6231 3051
www.macquarie.aero
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance and Tui Aviation GMBH close B737-800 sale and leaseback
DUBLIN - 7 May 2009
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced that it has closed a purchase and leaseback of one 2009-build B737-800 with TUI Aviation GmbH, the aviation arm of TUI Travel PLC. The aircraft will be leased back to TUI Aviation until 2017 and will be operated by Jetairfly, TUI Travel PLC’s Belgian airline subsidiary.
TUI Travel PLC is one of the world’s leading integrated travel companies and provides holiday packages to travellers throughout Europe.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, commented: “We are excited to be growing our portfolio through our first lease agreement with TUI Travel PLC and its affiliate Jetairfly. The 2009-build B737-800 is a natural addition to our existing portfolio of latest generation aircraft and ideally complements Jetairfly’s existing fleet.”
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 55 operators in 30 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310
Macquarie AirFinance closes acquisition of two A321-200 aircraft from AerCap
DUBLIN - 15 April 2009
Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced that it has closed the purchase of two A321-200 from Aercap on Friday April 3rd. The aircraft were manufactured in 2003 and are powered by CFM56-5B3/P engines. Both aircraft are on lease to Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia through 2015.
John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, commented: "We are delighted to close on the acquisition of these two aircraft. The A321-200 has proven increasingly popular with airlines worldwide in recent years and has figured for some time as a core model in Macquarie AirFinance's existing portfolio of leading planes. We are also delighted to complement our long-lasting relationship with the Thomas Cook group of airlines by adding Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia to our list of distinguished lessees. Thomas Cook is one of the world’s leading integrated travel 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 55 operators in 30 countries, across 6 continents.
For further information please contact:
Paula Chirhart
Corporate Communications
Macquarie Group
Tel: +1 (212) 231 1310