12 July 2012, Hong Kong - China Aircraft Leasing Company (“CALC” or the “Company”), a fast growing Hong Kong-based aircraft leasing company, is pleased to announce that it will purchase 36 current generation A320 Family aircraft to add to the Company’s fleet portfolio.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) for 36 A320 Family aircraft at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow. CALC’s deal is valued at approximately US$3 billion at current list prices.
“This is an important milestone for CALC,” said Dr. Mike Poon, Chief Executive Officer of CALC. “ CALC has a long-term commitment to the aviation industry and our purchase of these 36 A320 Family aircraft reinforces our development plan to build a portfolio of 100 aircrafts by 2015.”
The Airbus A320 Family aircraft is known as one of the world’s best-selling commercial jetliners. CALC is pleased to develop a relationship with one of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world.
CALC currently owns a portfolio of 15 modern commercial aircrafts including five A320s, five A321s, four B737-800 and one A330-200. It also has entered into commitments to acquire three more A330-200 and four A320 Family aircraft. With the latest order of the 36 A320 Family aircraft, CALC’s fleet will grow to at least 58 aircraft.
In December 2011, CALC also became an inaugural customer of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) by signing an agreement to purchase 20 C919 aircraft,
Dr. Poon continues, “China’s aircraft leasing industry is enjoying significant growth on the back of favourable government policies and the rapid development of China’s aviation industry. With our focus on providing innovative leasing solutions and the best aircraft in the market, we have successfully built solid relationships with aircraft manufacturers and clients. The continuous expansion of our fleet has allowed us to capture opportunities arising from the China’s buoyant aircraft leasing industry, and have laid the foundation for CALC to achieve our ambition to become a major aircraft lessor in the region.”
As the largest red chip aircraft lessor in China, CALC has been enjoying competitive advantages through its strategic dual-platform structure, which enables the company to provide flexible and competitive leasing solutions to its customers. CALC’s independent structure also makes it possible to obtain a wider range of sustainable source of financing. Over the last two years, CALC has introduced China Everbright Limited (“CEL”) as well as China Aerospace Investment Holdings Limited (“CAIH”) as its strategic investors. The introduction of these strategic investors helped broaden CALC’s shareholder structure, and enabled the company to better leverage its position as one of the country’s largest independent aircraft leasing companies.
About China Aircraft Leasing Company Limited (“CALC”)
Founded in 2006, China Aircraft Leasing Company Limited (“CALC”) is a professional entity focused on providing aircraft leasing services to airline companies. It established its headquarters in Hong Kong and has offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, France and Ireland.
Friedmann Pacific Asset Management Company limited (FPAM), as founder, holds 45.43% of equity interest in CALC Group. The other two substantial shareholders are subsidiaries of China Everbright Limited, a listed company in Hong Kong and China Aerospace Investment Holdings Ltd (“CAIH”). They are holding 44.14% and 8.05% respectively of equity interest in CALC. With this strong shareholder base, CALC has in-depth knowledge in financial markets and well-established networks of relationships with banks and government in the greater China region.
CALC currently manages a portfolio of 15 commercial aircraft. With this new commitment, CALC’s fleet will grow to 58. With a focus on China, CALC is expanding into global emerging markets, providing innovative and dynamic leasing solutions to leasing clients world-wide.
About Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”)
Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer whose customer focus, commercial know-how, technological leadership and manufacturing efficiency have propelled it to the forefront of the industry.
As of today, more than 8,400 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to over 365 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft.
