05 Mar 2026
#1 March 2026: Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter
EirTrade Aviation and RESIDCO Acquire Two Young A320neo Aircraft for Teardown
EirTrade Aviation, in partnership with Chicago-based lessor RESIDCO, completed the acquisition of two Airbus A320neo aircraft previously operated by Spirit Airlines. The aircraft, MSN 10769 and MSN 10921, are 4 years and 3.5 years old respectively, making them the youngest A320neo airframes to undergo teardown.
Disassembly will take place in Goodyear, Arizona, with components transferred to EirTrade’s Dallas parts hub to support AOG demand across the Americas. The transaction also includes four sets of high-demand LRU and BFE components from the PW1100 engine type, strengthening EirTrade’s inventory of next-generation rotables.
GOAL Aircraft Leasing and AviLease Complete Sale of Two A350-900 Aircraft
GOAL Aircraft Leasing completed the sale and delivery of two Airbus A350-900 aircraft to AviLease. Both aircraft remain on long-term lease to Fiji Airways. The first was delivered in December 2025, followed by the second in January 2026.
One aircraft was held by a KGAL fund, while the other was owned by a US-based investor. GOAL originally structured the acquisition and lease placement in 2023 and subsequently executed the sale with leases attached, demonstrating opportunistic investment strategy execution and liquidity recycling.
Joint Liquidators of GTLK Europe Complete Sale of Three Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
The joint liquidators of GTLK Europe DAC and GTLK Europe Capital DAC finalised the sale of three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Amsterdam-based MTU Leasing. Two aircraft were located in the United States and one in Spain.
Following Chapter 15 recognition of Irish liquidation proceedings in the US, the liquidators were able to execute a sanctions-compliant transaction. The six GE90-115B engines will be redeployed under lease arrangements, while the airframes will be utilised for parts recovery, enhancing engine availability amid ongoing global supply chain constraints.
Acumen’s Take
On Early-Vintage A320neo Teardowns
Teardown activity involving aircraft as young as four years old signals strong demand for serviceable material, particularly on new-technology platforms. Engine component value and AOG responsiveness continue to drive asset recovery strategies.
On GOAL’s Lease-Attached Divestment
Selling widebody assets with long-term leases attached preserves income stability while unlocking capital for reinvestment. Structured asset management remains central to opportunistic fund performance.
On GTLK’s 777-300ER Engine Redeployment
The redeployment of GE90-115B engines underscores continued pressure in the widebody engine market. Engine liquidity and parts availability remain critical as operators navigate constrained supply chains.
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