Chorus Aviation from Canada has confirmed this week that is placing three Bombardier Q400 turboprops with Philippine Airlines on a long-term lease basis.
The new Q400s are scheduled for delivery to Philippine Airlines during the latter part of this year and are the first leasing transactions in the fast-growing Southeast Asia region for the Halifax based Chorus Aviation. The company's president, Steven Ridolfi said: "Philippine Airlines is a celebrated airline with a long and renowned history as the flag carrier of the Philippines, and we are very proud to count them amongst our customers."
PAL President & Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said, "We are very pleased to form this working partnership with Chorus Aviation Capital and we look forward to building business ties with them. By joining their growing portfolio of aircraft lessees, Philippine Airlines will be able to further grow its domestic market. New aircraft help us to build new air links and increase flight frequencies on routes that are vital to national commerce."
Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chorus, stated "We are demonstrating our ability to originate our own deals directly with airlines and go after new, high-growth markets. I'm proud of the Chorus team's professionalism and discipline in evaluating and executing these transactions, and grateful to the many people at Chorus who are helping make our leasing venture a success."
The team at Chorus also announced this week the acquisition of an ATR72-600 aircraft, with an existing lease attached and further expands Chorus' relationship with Azul Airlines, one of the leading airlines in South America.
Steven Ridolfi stated "This ATR72-600 constitutes the third aircraft on lease to Azul Airlines and, together with other pending transactions that have been recently announced, brings Chorus' total leased fleet to 70 aircraft. Since its establishment in 2017, Chorus Aviation Capital has expanded its leasing business to include relationships with 11 well-established major regional airlines in 11 countries spanning six continents. Its diversified fleet of quality regional aircraft consists of seven aircraft types from the top three manufacturers – ATR, Bombardier, and Embraer."
(photo Philippine Airlines)
