Macquarie AirFinance assists with establishment of Air Cote d'Ivoire

10-Oct-2012 Macquarie AirFinance, a global aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, announced that it has delivered an Airbus A319-100 on lease to the newly established national airline of the Ivory Coast, Air Côte d'Ivoire. The aircraft, a CFM56-5B5/P-powered, 2004-model, MSN 2213, pictured below, configured in 12 Business and 96 Economy seats, will be based in Abidjan, and the airline will initially operate it on routes to various West African destinations in partnership with Air Burkina & Air Mali.

John Willingham, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie AirFinance, remarked: "We are privileged to be involved in the re-establishment of the Ivoirian flag carrier". Mr. Willingham added: ". It took quite some time for all of the many aspects of this transaction to mature and I am finally delighted to be able to welcome Air Côte d'Ivoire as Macquarie AirFinance's newest customer. The new airline is well placed to contribute to the strengthening of the Ivorian economy and is strongly supported by its co-shareholders: the Government of the Côte D'Ivoire, Air France and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)

A second A319 aircraft, MSN 2228, currently leased from Macquarie AirFinance to Air France, will be subleased by Air France to Air Côte d'Ivoire.

About Macquarie AirFinance

Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing company providing aircraft and capital to the world's commercial airlines, and advisory and management services to aircraft owners. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company currently owns, manages or has commitments for 151 jet aircraft leased to 75 operators in 41 countries, across 6 continents.