07 Aug 2025
#2 August 2025: Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter
ACIA Aero Leasing Signs TrueChoice Engine Service Agreement with GE Aerospace
ACIA Aero Leasing has announced the signing of a TrueChoice Agreement with GE Aerospace. The agreement covers the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services of its CF34-10E engines and will support the expansion of its Embraer E1 platform.
“We see the E1 E-Jet platform as an excellent complement to our turboprop portfolio. By concluding this TrueChoice agreement with GE Aerospace, we will be able to source and acquire E1 aircraft for onward leasing to our customer base with a competitive solution already on the table for the CF34-10E engine overhaul. We look forward to continuing to develop our existing relationship with GE Aerospace,” said Mark Dunnachie, SVP Commercial, ACIA Aero Leasing.
AFG Acquires Two CRJ1000s for Onward Lease to Cally Air
AFG has announced the acquisition of two Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft—MSN 19004 and MSN 19009—from Regional One. Both aircraft have been placed on lease with Cally Air, the state-backed airline of Cross River State, Nigeria. The transaction supports Cally Air’s efforts to enhance capacity, boost regional connectivity, and strengthen aviation infrastructure within Nigeria and across West Africa.
CDB Aviation and Loong Air Execute Lease Agreements for Six New A321neo Aircraft
CDB Aviation has executed new lease agreements for six Airbus A321neo aircraft with Loong Air. The Hangzhou-based carrier is expected to take delivery of these aircraft in 2027 from CDB Aviation’s orderbook.
“We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Loong Air through this transaction, which underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of China’s aviation sector,” said Jie Chen, Chief Executive Officer of CDB Aviation. “The A321neo’s superior economics and passenger comfort align perfectly with Loong Air’s vision of expanding its domestic, international, and regional network.”
Milestone Signs Lease Extension Agreement with HeliKorea for One Leonardo AW169 Aircraft
The Milestone Aviation Group has signed a five-year lease extension with HeliKorea for one Leonardo AW169 aircraft.
Sébastien Moulin, Chief Commercial Officer at Milestone, said:
“We are very pleased to strengthen our long-term partnership with HeliKorea with this lease extension. Milestone has been supporting HeliKorea’s mission-critical operations for many years, and extensions like this are a key part of our ongoing efforts to diversify our portfolio through investment in mission-critical sectors such as EMS.”
Acumen’s Take
On ACIA Aero Leasing’s TrueChoice Agreement with GE Aerospace
This move reflects a strategic alignment of engine support with fleet acquisition plans. For ACIA, the ability to offer ready MRO coverage for the CF34-10E boosts the commercial attractiveness of the E1 platform. From a leasing perspective, integrating aftermarket support at the deal stage reduces downstream risk and enhances leasing agility—an approach that can help regional jet portfolios scale more competitively.
On AFG’s CRJ1000 Placement with Cally Air
The onward lease of two CRJ1000s to Cally Air indicates continued demand for regional jets in underserved African markets. For lessors, it signals the opportunity to diversify geographically while supporting state-backed carriers in network expansion. From Acumen’s lens, Africa remains a market of strategic interest where leasing models must balance operational capacity with infrastructure constraints.
On CDB Aviation’s Lease Deal with Loong Air
This transaction underlines the enduring appeal of the A321neo in high-growth markets like China. By securing deliveries from its orderbook for 2027, CDB Aviation ensures long-term placement visibility. It also strengthens ties with an emerging carrier in the region—a key move as Chinese airlines pursue fleet modernisation with an eye on capacity and sustainability.
On Milestone’s Lease Extension with HeliKorea
Lease extensions in the helicopter segment—especially for EMS applications—highlight the growing resilience and maturity of mission-critical verticals in aviation. Milestone’s renewed agreement with HeliKorea reinforces the value of long-term operator-lessor partnerships in niche sectors. As Acumen has observed, helicopters configured for EMS and SAR (search and rescue) continue to be stable assets within otherwise cyclical portfolios.
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