Aircastle delivers first of six new A330-200s to South African Airways
Aircastle announced on Monday that it delivered the first of six new A330-200s scheduled to join the South African Airways fleet this year. The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines.
- Aircastle has delivered the first of six new A330-200 aircraft to South African Airways as part of its fleet modernization program.
- The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines.
- Debt financing for the purchase was arranged by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and supported by a guarantee from COFACE.
- The debt carries an interest rate of 3.78% per annum and will be repaid over 12 years.
- The new A330-200s will provide South African Airways with improved fuel efficiency and operating costs, as well as a state-of-the-art cabin for passengers.
- Aircastle expects to benefit from approximately USD700 million of asset growth from its Airbus program over the next 15 months, positioning the company for earnings growth in 2011 and beyond.
Debt financing for this purchase was arranged and provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and supported by a guarantee from Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur (COFACE), the French export credit agency. This debt bears interest at a rate of 3.78% per annum and will be repaid over 12 years.
Ron Wainshal, CEO of Aircastle, stated: "We are building a significant relationship with South African Airways and are proud to support its fleet modernization program with these six new A330-200s. These aircraft will provide the airline with significant improvements in fuel efficiency and operating costs and its passengers with a comfortable, state-of-the-art cabin."
Mr Wainshal added: "With this delivery, we're beginning to benefit from approximately USD700 million of attractive built-in asset growth from our Airbus program over the next 15 months. This expansion of our asset base - combined with approximately USD500 million of new investments we completed during 2010 - positions us to grow our earnings in 2011 and beyond. With our strong balance sheet and proven access to diverse sources of capital, we are poised to pursue new transaction opportunities and capitalize on the steadily improving demand for passenger and cargo aircraft."
Aircastle's shares rose 2.5% yesterday.
Selected aviation suppliers daily share price movements (% change): 07-Feb-2011
