AUGUST 7TH, 2016

ALAFCO acquires portfolio of nine modern passenger aircraft from GECAS

Kuwait – Kuwait-based ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of a nine-aircraft portfolio from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The portfolio comprises of highly attractive Airbus and Boeing aircraft already on long-term lease to well-established airlines in Asia – with three of the airlines joining ALAFCO as new customers.

ALAFCO is keen on serving the needs of its new customers Lion Air, Juneyao Airlines and Citilink, as well as expanding its existing relationship with Nok Air. Lion Air is Indonesia’s largest privately-run airline and one of the largest low-cost carriers in the Southeast Asia region, while Juneyao Airlines is part of a major privately owned Chinese group. Thai Airways International – Thailand’s flag carrier – owns the largest stake in Nok Air, while Citilink is the low-cost subsidiary of the national carrier of Indonesia (Garuda Indonesia).

The acquisition is in line with ALAFCO’s growth strategy, which includes the acquisition of aircraft with lease attached from other lessors, as well as sale and lease-back transactions with airlines. Additionally, ALAFCO has contracted with Boeing and Airbus to acquire 117 new technology aircraft to be delivered between 2017 and 2021. ALAFCO aims to have a fleet of more than 100 aircraft by the end of the decade.

Customers and aircraft involved in this transaction:
· Lion Air (2x B737-800)
· Juneyao Airlines (2x A321-200)
· Citilink (3x A320-200)
· Nok Air (2x B737-800)