Hong Kong, 1 August 2023 - China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited ("CALC" or the “Company”, HKSE stock code: 01848), a full value chain aircraft solutions provider for the global aviation industry, is pleased to announce its positive profit alert for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (the “Review Period”).  During the Review Period, the Group’s total revenue is expected to be approximately HK$ 2,327 million, representing an increase of around 23% year-on-year, profit for the period and profit attributable to shareholders of the Company is expected to be approximately HKD 309 million and HKD 200 million respectively, both significantly improved compared with the same period in 2022.

The expected improvement in financial performance during the Review Period was mainly attributable to the rapid recovery of the global aviation market and the fact that the Group had enlarged and optimized its fleet portfolio with more new-generation fuel-efficient aircraft. With its ongoing strategy of high-quality, scale, and sustainable development, CALC’s aircraft leasing business is back to growth with full momentum.

Sticking to its long-term sustainable roadmap of “global expansion with full value chain model”, CALC has grasped the opportunities emerged from the strong recovery in global air travel demand and made multiple business breakthroughs since the beginning of 2023 with a steady pace and solid foundation. During the Review Period, CALC extended its footprint into the Oceania market and delivered a new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to Virgin Australia as part of its continuous effort to optimize its fleet portfolio. It also delivered a new Airbus A321neo aircraft to Xiamen Airlines, initiating new aircraft leasing cooperation between the two parties. During the Review Period, the first ARJ21 passenger aircraft operated by the Indonesian Airlines TransNusa was officially put into commercial operation, flying the popular route from Jakarta to Bali, marking a new chapter for the development of China-made aircraft leasing business.

According to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air travel will surge by 28.3% with some 4.35 billion people are expected to travel this year, restoring nearly 96% of its pre-Covid level in 2019. Moreover, all economies in Asia-Pacific region have lifted COVID travel restrictions, and a sharp rise of 63% in air travel demand (measured in RPKs) for Asia-Pacific carriers is expected, the fastest growth among all regions.