18 Feb 2019

Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter 18 February

Amedeo enters discussions with Airbus Amedeo announced 14 February that it agreed a termination of the Purchase Agreement with Airbus for 20 A380s and are in discussions regarding other commercial options. Avolon issues 2019 Industry Forecast titled ‘Buckle Up’ Avolon issued its 2019 Industry Forecast, titled ‘Buckle Up’. The paper, written by Avolon’s Head of Strategy Dick Forsberg, provides a review of 2018 while offering predictions for the industry in 2019. Dick Forsberg, Head of Strategy, Avolon, commented: “While not at the recent record levels, 2018 represented the airline industry’s ninth consecutive year of profitability. While load factors continue to rise globally, airline profitability remains highly concentrated, with nearly half being allocated by North American carriers. Additionally, numerous airline failures over the last year have indicated that full planes are not always cause for celebration. This leads to the conclusion that, although supply and demand is nominally in balance, there are simply too many cheap seats being sold in the market and too few expensive ones. Continued oil price volatility will leave some less well hedged airlines exposed. In this fuel price environment, the most effective hedge against oil price movement for airlines is operating the most fuel-efficient fleets. For lessors, the ability to apply appropriate risk-management processes to their airline customers, and pick up early warning signs of trouble ahead, will be critical in determining success.” Avolon’s Senior Unsecured Notes Upgraded By S&p Global To Bb+ Avolon announced 13 February that S&P Global Ratings (‘S&P’) has upgraded the rating on its senior unsecured notes to BB+. S&P maintains its BB+ corporate credit rating on Avolon, with a stable outlook. Moody’s Revises Avolon’s Outlook to Positive Avolon announced 14 February that Moody's Investors Service (‘Moody's’) has revised its outlook on Avolon’s corporate Ba1 rating from stable to positive. NAC delivered one new ATR 72-600, MSN 1464, to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) on lease Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) announced 13 February the delivery of one ATR 72-600, MSN 1464, to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) on lease. Norwegian in Talks To Spin Off Irish Leasing Arm Arctic Aviation Assets Including entire Airbus order book  Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS) to spin off its Irish leasing arm, Arctic Aviation Assets including its entire order book of 65 Airbus A320neo and 30 Airbus A321neo-LR arcraft. Speaking during a fourth-quarter/full-year earnings presentation with analysts, NAS chief financial officer Geir Karlsen stressed that discussions to form a leasing joint venture with a “very strong Asian company” have progressed and the parties have signed a letter of intent. “The discussions are now involving our whole Airbus orderbook”. Acumen Aviation © 18 February 2019 All Rights Reserved.