Boullioun Aviation Services and affiliate Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) are striving to place some of nearly 100 Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing Next Generation 737s ordered in the past 15 months as they aim to build on their new status as the world's third-largest aircraft lessor.
"Looking back, 1998 and 1999 have been positioning years for us," says Boullioun chief operating officer John Willingham. "Our plans in 2000 are to continue doing what we're doing and to get aircraft placed on the market on good terms and build our presence."
The pair have 92 aircraft on order with deliveries set through to 2006, worth $5 billion. The current portfolio totals 67 aircraft, worth $2.4 billion. Boullioun, acquired by Deutsche Bank in 1998, has a 35.5% stake in SALE and ranks third in the market behind General Electric Capital and International Lease Finance.
Up to 20 aircraft are due for delivery this year and a similar number in 2001, rising in 2002. Boullioun deliveries next year will include the first of 30 737NGs. Its first two 737-800s have been placed with CityBird of Belgium.
SALE has an A320/A321 order, standing at 39 aircraft, and has placed all but one aircraft due for delivery by the end of 2001. SALE has exploited the Asian financial downturn by expanding its sale-and-leaseback business.
Source: Flight International
