Aviation Capital Group Announce Order for 12 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Aviation Capital Group and Boeing yesterday at the Farnborough International Airshow announced ACG is growing its 737 MAX portfolio with an order for 12 additional 737-8 MAX aircraft. As the travel market recovers, ACG is increasing its 737-8 offering to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient, and sustainable operations. The order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

“This latest incremental 737 MAX order allows ACG to offer highly fuel-efficient aeroplanes to our airline customers around the world,” said Mahoko Hara, ACG Executive Chair. “These additional 737 MAX aircraft will help position ACG’s order book for a recovery in air traffic coming out of the pandemic.”

Today’s announcement will see ACG expand its 737 MAX order book to 34 aeroplanes, building upon an order for nine 737-8s in May 2022. Boeing is seeing strong market demand for the 737 MAX family, with more than 1,000 gross orders across all models since late 2020.

“The 737 MAX family strengthens ACG’s narrowbody portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Topping up with additional 737-8s positions ACG well to respond to growing airline demand. We look forward to more opportunities to expand our relationship to support ACG and their customers.”

The 737-8 is a member of the 737 MAX family, which is designed to offer more fuel efficiency, reliability, and flexibility in the single-aisle market. The aeroplane can fly 3,550 nautical miles – about 600 miles farther than its predecessor – allowing airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers. Compared to the aeroplanes it replaces, the 737-8 also delivers superior efficiency, using 20% less fuel and significantly reducing CO2 emissions and operating costs.

Aviation Capital Group and the ISTAT Foundation Launch Diversity and Inclusion Fund

Aviation Capital Group LLC announced this week that, together with the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading Foundation, it has established a Diversity and Inclusion Fund to provide scholarships, internships and other school, networking, mentoring and career resources to aviation-focused students in Africa and female aviation-focused students in South America. In addition, universities in these regions developing STEM-related programs to support students toward an entry into aviation can benefit from this Fund.

Funded by ACG and managed by the ISTAT Foundation, the Fund aims to break down barriers that these diverse scholars would typically face, helping them enter the aviation industry and be successful in it.

"ACG is proud to support the ISTAT Foundation through the endowment of this Fund, which will invest in global aviation’s future leaders," said Tom Baker, CEO and president of ACG. "The Fund’s focus on diversity and inclusion helps ensure that our industry’s continued growth will be informed, enriched and supported by a broad spectrum of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives."

“The ISTAT Foundation is very pleased and grateful to partner with ACG on this important initiative related to Diversity and Inclusion. After establishing a dedicated D&I Committee within the ISTAT Foundation looking after internal structures and external giving programming focused on D&I, this is a logical and first step in embedding D&I into our DNA,” said Peter Huijbers, ISTAT Foundation Chair.

“The cooperation with ACG is a significant milestone in the ISTAT Foundation’s journey toward implementing the principles of D&I into its giving programs,” added Sigthor Einarsson, ISTAT Foundation Vice Chair and D&I Committee Chair. “We are excited by it and look at it as a foundation for further development into Diversity and Inclusion related giving, benefiting ISTAT and the industry as a whole.”

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Aviation Capital Group selects Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines to power 60 more Airbus aircraft

Aviation Capital Group LLC, a leading aircraft operating lessor, announced today that it has selected Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines to power an additional 40 firm Airbus single-aisle aircraft, with the option to power an additional 20 A320neo family aircraft with GTF engines. This brings ACG’s total to 80 firm and 27 option GTF-powered aircraft. The latest engine selection includes 20 firm Airbus A220 aircraft, plus 20 firm and 20 option A320neo family aircraft.

“The GTF engine continues to deliver impressive economic and environmental benefits to our customers,” said Steven C. Udvar-Hazy, Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer at ACG. “We are pleased to increase ACG’s commitment for additional GTF-powered aircraft.”

ACG owns, manages and has on order 145 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney, including Airbus A220 and A320neo families with GTF engines, Airbus A320ceo family with V2500® engines and Boeing 757 aircraft with PW2000 engines. ACG serves around 90 customers in approximately 45 countries with dynamic fleet solutions.

“Leading lessors like ACG are recognizing the increasing value that GTF engines are giving operators,” said Rick Deurloo, Chief Commercial Officer at Pratt & Whitney. “With fuel prices and environmental concerns on the rise, GTF engines’ lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are growing more attractive by the day.”

The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable, world-class operating costs. The GTF engine family reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 16 to 20 percent and noise footprint by 75 percent, with NOx emissions 50 percent below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation. The engine’s revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond.

 

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Aviation Capital Group Announces CFO’s Retirement and Transition Plan

Aviation Capital Group announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Madhu Vijay will retire from the Company later this year. While a definitive date has not been set, Mr Vijay has offered to stay on to help with a seamless transition in the months to come.

“On behalf of the ACG team, we thank Madhu for his invaluable contributions over the 22 years he has served at the Company. Madhu has been an instrumental member of our leadership team, strengthening our balance sheet during his tenure, which contributed meaningfully to our growth. On a personal note, Madhu helped me quickly find my footing at ACG, and I’m grateful to him for his partnership. We appreciate his dedication to ACG and his support for a seamless and successful transition,” said Tom Baker, CEO and president of ACG.

“ACG is a pioneer in the aircraft leasing space.  I am extremely proud of the Company’s many significant achievements and recognize that it is the people that I worked with here that made ACG an exceptional organization. I am honoured to have served ACG for many years in building and leading the finance function for the Company and wish ACG and all of the team members continued success going forward,” said Madhu Vijay, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ACG.

 

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Aviation Capital Group confirm financing for two Airbus A321neo LR jets for TAP Air Portugal

Aviation Capital Group has confirmed a deal for the financing of two Airbus A321NEOLR aircraft for the national carrier of Portugal, TAP.  

This financing marks the fifth use by ACG’s Aircraft Financing Solutions (“AFS”) program of its $650 million secured funding facility.  This allowed ACG to provide a senior secured loan to TAP and to partner with Novus Aviation Capital, who provided complementary mezzanine financing.  Together, ACG and Novus were able to offer TAP an attractive and comprehensive financing solution.  

 “ACG is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with TAP and Novus on this financing.  We were able to draw upon our established relationship with Novus to effectively meld the senior and junior loans and to provide TAP with timely and efficient financing.  Moreover, we were finally able to bring to fruition ACG’s long-held desire to work with TAP again,” said Andrew Falk, Managing Director of ACG.

Mamoun Kuzbari, Chief Commercial Officer, Novus Aviation Capital said: “We are delighted to complete this transaction with both ACG and TAP, continuing to support an existing airline customer. Not only are we building on our relationship with this additional financing for TAP, but we are also very proud to have a strong foundation with ACG that will allow both parties to collaborate on future opportunities. This debt structure is an attractive value proposition and the combination of asset type and stakeholders involved makes it appealing for both Novus and Tamweel Aviation Finance, one of the industry’s leading mezzanine loan providers.”

Gonçalo Pires, Chief Financial Officer of TAP Air Portugal said: “TAP is very pleased to work with ACG and Novus on this financing and we are very confident that these two additional A321neo LR aircraft that are joining our fleet, already one of the youngest and most efficient in the world, will contribute to the success of our airline,”

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Aviation Capital Group confirms financing for 2 Airbus A321neo LR planes for TAP Air Portugal

Aviation Capital Group has confirmed the secured financing of two Airbus A321NEO LR aircraft for TAP Air Portugal.

This financing marks the fifth use by ACG’s Aircraft Financing Solutions (“AFS”) program of its $650 million secured funding facility. This allowed ACG to provide a senior secured loan to TAP and to partner with Novus Aviation Capital (“Novus”), which provided complementary mezzanine financing. Together, ACG and Novus were able to offer TAP an attractive and comprehensive financing solution.

“ACG is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with TAP and Novus on this financing. We were able to draw upon our established relationship with Novus to effectively meld the senior and junior loans and to provide TAP with timely and efficient financing. Moreover, we were finally able to bring to fruition ACG’s long-held desire to work with TAP again,” said Andrew Falk, Managing Director of ACG.

“We are delighted to complete this transaction with both ACG and TAP, continuing to support an existing airline customer,” said Mamoun Kuzbari, Chief Commercial Officer, Novus Aviation Capital. “Not only are we building on our relationship with this additional financing for TAP, but we are also very proud to have a strong foundation with ACG that will allow both parties to collaborate on future opportunities. This debt structure is an attractive value proposition and the combination of asset type and stakeholders involved makes it appealing for both Novus and Tamweel Aviation Finance, one of the industry’s leading mezzanine loan providers.”

“TAP is very pleased to work with ACG and Novus on this financing and we are very confident that these two additional A321neo LR aircraft that are joining our fleet, already one of the youngest and most efficient in the world, will contribute to the success of our airline,” said Gonçalo Pires, Chief Financial Officer of TAP Air Portugal.

Aviation Capital Group delivers a new Airbus A321neo to STARLUX Airlines

Aviation Capital Group announced the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to STARLUX airlines. The jet is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A30 engines and is the third A321neo to deliver to the airline from ACG’s order book with Airbus.

A luxury boutique airline, STARLUX Airlines, was founded in May 2018. STARLUX launched its inaugural flights from Taoyuan to three destinations, Macau, Da Nang and Penang in January 2020. With its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, STARLUX Airlines will initially fly routes in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, gradually developing its transoceanic routes to North America. STARLUX has seven A321neos and one A330neo in its fleet and will be adding an additional six A321neos to its fleet. STARLUX also plans to introduce another seven A330-900s, ten A350-900s and eight A350-1000s to its fleet.

“ACG is honoured to deliver this new A321neo to STARLUX and we are excited to be a part of the airline's journey,” said YongRen Ng, Vice President of Marketing for ACG. “We wish the team at STARLUX every success and look forward to a long-term successful partnership.”

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Aviation Capital Group finalises order for 20 A220s

Global full-service aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG), wholly owned by Tokyo Century Corporation, has signed a firm contract for 20 A220s following its order for 40 A320neo Family aircraft including five A321XLRs announced in December 2021.”

We are delighted to expand our partnership with Airbus through this A220 order”, said Steven C. Udvar-Hazy, Senior Vice President, OEM Relations & Market Development at ACG. “Our airline customers will appreciate the A220’s environmental friendliness, passenger comfort, and competitive operating economics.”

“This order for 20 A220s from Tokyo Century’s Aviation Capital Group reflects the potential of the aircraft as a sound investment, including for investors based in the Asia Pacific region”, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. “We thank and congratulate our partners at ACG. With fuel and emissions efficiency ever more a discriminating investment choice, the A220 really stands out. Equally gratifying is the market feedback that the A220’s cabin is becoming the passengers’ darling in the regional and small single-aisle segments.”

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines. Featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, as well as around 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for regional as well as long-distance routes operations. The latest agreement lifts the total number of firm orders for the A220 above 700.

With this order, ACG is supporting the recently launched multi-million dollar ESG fund initiative by Airbus that will contribute towards investment into sustainable aviation development projects.

 

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Aviation Capital Group to finance Volocopter fleet of aircraft for up to $1 billion

Aviation Capital Group, a leading aircraft asset manager, announced today that it has entered into an agreement in principle with Volocopter, a pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), to develop financing solutions that will assist with the sale of Volocopter’s family of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for up to $1 billion. Deliveries are expected to commence once the aircraft has been certified for commercial use by the respective civil aviation authorities. These include the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For Volocopter customers, this agreement will offer an option and an opportunity to lease the aircraft through financing schemes, as is customary within the aviation industry. The experience and trusted services of ACG as a global aviation aircraft asset management company will provide flexibility and security in customer transactions during the lease.

“This transaction highlights ACG’s ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry and to working towards a cleaner and more sustainable future,” said Tom Baker, CEO and president of ACG. “The transaction builds on the existing partnership between Volocopter and ACG’s parent company, Tokyo Century, an early equity investor in Volocopter.”

“This agreement will allow our business to hit the ground running after aircraft certification,” said Florian Reuter, Chief Executive Officer, of Volocopter. “It signifies ACG’s and our investor Tokyo Century’s trust in Volocopter’s leadership in the UAM market. We are grateful for this partnership as this financing represents another cornerstone of the essential ecosystem for scaling UAM.”

The UAM total addressable market is expected to be worth €241 billion by 2035. The market in which Volocopter operates is uniquely targeted at flying above and around the world’s densely populated megacities. The Volocopter family of eVTOL aircraft fly completely emission-free and provide transportation as a service both for passengers (VoloCity and VoloConnect) and for goods (VoloDrone). Moreover, all aircraft are designed with low complexity to meet the needs of this market and customer, as well as the highest level of standards in aviation safety and low-noise emissions that make them ideal for inner-city journeys.

Volocopter aims to create UAM ecosystems in cities worldwide with sustainable aircraft, meeting the highest safety standards by achieving civil aviation certification, and forging strong partnerships with governments and businesses. It is the first and only eVTOL developer to hold Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Production Organisation Approval (POA), two strategic regulator milestones necessary to launch commercial services. The agreement between ACG and Volocopter will permit the scaling of the commercial business shortly after certification, fulfilling customer demand for aircraft up to $1 billion. All Volocopter aircraft – VoloCity, VoloConnect, and VoloDrone – are expected to be covered by the agreement.

The transaction remains subject to further negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement and customary closing conditions.

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STARLUX Airlines get a new Airbus A321neo from Aviation Capital Group

Aviation Capital Group confirmed this week, the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to STARLUX Airlines. Featuring CFM International LEAP-1A30 engines, this is the second of three new A321neos confirmed to deliver to the airline from ACG’s order book with Airbus.

A luxury boutique airline, STARLUX Airlines, was founded in May 2018. STARLUX launched its inaugural flights from Taoyuan to three destinations, Macau, Da Nang and Penang in January 2020. With its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, STARLUX Airlines will initially fly routes in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, gradually developing its transoceanic routes to North America. STARLUX has five A321neos in its fleet and will be adding an additional eight A321neos to its fleet. STARLUX also plans to introduce another eight A330-900s, ten A350-900s and eight A350-1000s to its fleet.

Aviation Capital Group was founded in 1989 and is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with approximately 400 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of September 30, 2021, which are leased to approximately 90 airlines in approximately 45 countries. ACG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.

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60 aircraft order for Airbus from Aviation Capital Group

The Global aircraft leasing specialists Aviation Capital Group has agreed on a deal in principle with European planemaker Airbus for 60 aircraft. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed for 20 A220s and a firm contract for 40 A320neo Family aircraft, of which five are A321XLRs.

“We are delighted to expand our portfolio with additional A220 and A320neo Family aircraft.  These highly advanced aircraft will enhance ACG’s strategic objective to offer our airline customers the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft available,” said Thomas Baker, CEO and President of ACG.

“The order is another gratifying endorsement of our single aisle products by one of the world’s premier aircraft asset managers, ACG and the Tokyo Century Group. It also forcefully confirms the A220 as a growingly desirable aircraft and investment in the commercial aviation landscape. We congratulate and thank ACG for its decision to select both the A220 and A320neo Families,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines. Featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, as well as around 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for regional as well as long-distance routes operations.

Aviation Capital Group becomes a Silver Level sponsor of rapid-response nonprofit organization

Aviation Capital Group, a leading aircraft asset manager has confirmed its sponsorship at the “Silver Level” of Airlink, a rapid-response nonprofit organization that coordinates with airlines and non-governmental organizations to provide free and heavily subsidized airlift to a network of over 130 humanitarian relief nonprofit organizations supporting communities in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

“The global aviation industry connects the world.  Airlink’s mission underscores how this connectivity can be harnessed to bring critical relief to communities in desperate need.  ACG’s core values are grounded in social responsibility and we are proud to support Airlink in its service to these communities,” said Tom Baker, CEO and president of ACG.

“We are thrilled that Aviation Capital Group has become an Airlink sponsor,” said Steven J. Smith, President and CEO of Airlink. “I want to thank the ACG team for their generous support, which will help bring humanitarian aid and hope to millions of people across the globe.” 

Airlink provides free and heavily subsidized flights and air transport for pre-screened nonprofits to deliver disaster responders and supplies in the wake of humanitarian crises worldwide. Its network includes more than 130 aid organizations and 47 commercial and charter airlines. Its first mission was in response to the Haiti earthquake. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has provided flights for nearly 8,000 relief workers and transported more than 4,000,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo. In 2020 the humanitarian aid Airlink moved assisted 5.5 million people.

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