• Combined entity will own and manage 167 aircraft on lease to 46 airlines globally
  • Landmark transaction will accelerate AviLease’s growth plans to become a top-10 global lessor by 2030
  • Riyadh-based lessor, launched last year, will further diversify its portfolio globally and forge seasoned team of industry experts
  • Transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023

RIYADH: AviLease, the rising global aircraft lessor wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the aircraft leasing business of Standard Chartered, which includes Dublin-based Pembroke Group.

The acquisition will bring together two strategically complementary businesses, providing AviLease scale, global diversification and the opportunity to leverage Standard Chartered’s best-in-class team and operating capabilities.

As part of the $3.6bn acquisition, AviLease will acquire a portfolio of 100 narrow body aircraft while also becoming servicer for another 22 aircraft. The combined platform will own and manage 167 of the latest technology, fuel efficient aircraft, consisting of 145 owned valued at circa $6bn and 22 managed aircraft valued at circa $800mn leased to 46 airlines globally.

As part of the transaction, AviLease successfully arranged $2.1bn of competitive bridge financing commitments from four banks: BNP Paribas, Citibank N.A., HSBC Bank Middle East and MUFG Bank.

AviLease Chairman, Fahad Al-Saif, said: “The Standard Chartered leasing business is an industry-leading platform combined with a team of high-calibre professionals with an outstanding reputation. This acquisition will propel AviLease and will in turn support Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem, on our path to help realize the Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of diversifying the economy and adding high value employment opportunities for Saudi citizens.”

AviLease CEO, Edward O'Byrne, said: “This acquisition is a fantastic next step in AviLease’s young existence. We are purchasing a very high-quality portfolio of narrow body aircraft on lease to top-tier airlines globally. The transaction accelerates the scale-up and lessee diversification of our fleet, demonstrating our ability to execute on our investment strategy. 

“Equally important is the ability for us to combine forces and leverage the high-quality capabilities of the Standard Chartered platform. We have the ambition to become a top-10 global aircraft lessor and this acquisition brings us one step closer.”

Simon Cooper, CEO of Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking and Europe & Americas at Standard Chartered, said: “We wish AviLease every success with its strategy to develop further the business for continued growth, and delivering on its ambition, to be a significant global player in the aviation leasing sector. I want to thank our Standard Chartered Aviation Finance colleagues, whose strong commitment to building an outstanding franchise over more than 15 years has enabled the success of this transaction.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2023.

Citigroup acted as financial advisor to AviLease for this transaction, Allen & Overy and Arthur Cox LLP served as legal counsel and KPMG served as tax advisor. For Standard Chartered, J.P. Morgan Securities PLC acted as financial advisor, Clifford Chance LLP and McCann FitzGerald LLP served as legal counsel and PwC served as tax advisor.

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About AviLease

AviLease is an aviation financing and leasing firm investing in the latest generation aircraft through purchase and lease-back transactions, portfolio trades and direct orders from aircraft manufacturers, aiming to contribute to the development of the aviation ecosystem.

Fully owned by PIF, AviLease has robust financial support and outstanding competencies which will support its vision and rapid growth ambitions. Founded in June 2022, AviLease is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company's portfolio consists of the latest generation of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft from the world's leading manufacturers. 

With a seasoned management team comprised of local and international experts, AviLease is poised for growth. By localizing knowledge and expertise, the company is building a strong foundation to become a national champion in the global aircraft leasing market.

Rawan Al Hosban
Memac Ogilvy
Rawan.alhosban@ogilvy.com