EasyJet has closed sale and leaseback transactions covering eight new Airbus A320 aircraft, according to sources.
Santander acquired four new A320s from the UK operator and arranged a Spanish operating lease transaction covering the aircraft.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia closed two new deliveries, while Banc of America Leasing also closed two new deliveries.
The aircraft, all delivered to EasyJet in 2012, are part of a request for proposals (RFP) covering up to 12 Airbus A320 family aircraft issued in 2012.
Last November EasyJet's chief financial officer Chris Kennedy said that the carrier has signed term sheets for 12 A319s and 12 A320s.
Half of the A319 fleet was sold to German company German Operating Aircraft Leasing in January under sale and leaseback transactions with lease terms through the second half of 2018.
Last month initiator KG Allgemeine Leasing (KGAL) announced plans for a new fund, SkyClass 58 in the German Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) market, to invest in the A319 model.
The six A319s (MSNs 2289, 2300, 2360, 2412, 2477, 2481) already closed were delivered new to EasyJet between September 2004 and June 2005.
According to the prospectus, a second batch of A319s (MSNs 2492, 2503, 2514, 2527, 2528, 2538), all delivered new to EasyJet in 2005, will close on 20 June this year.
EasyJet, Santander, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Banc of America Leasing could not be reached for comments.
Source: Commercial Aviation Online
