Avolon: Aviation Finance Company Raises $750 Million Unsecured Bank Facility

By Amit Chowdhry • Jun 24, 2024

Global aviation finance company Avolon announced it has raised $750 million in a new unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of seven banks mostly in the Middle East and India. The deal diversifies Avolon’s sources of capital, accessing new liquidity pools with significant interest in high-quality lending opportunities in the aviation sector.

This facility has a three-year tenor with options for extension to up to five years. And this transaction means Avolon has raised over $3.4 billion in 2024 from a diverse range of funding sources in the public and private markets.

Avolon’s available liquidity as of March 31, 2024 was $6.6 billion, with a net debt to equity ratio of 2.2 times. And the proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes.

JP Morgan and Emirates NBD acted as joint book-runners on this transaction.

KEY QUOTES:

“This $750 million facility further diversifies our access to capital and forges new banking relationships in the Middle East and India. Deepening our sources of liquidity ensures we can continue to capitalise on attractive market dynamics and we appreciate the support of JP Morgan, Emirates NBD and the wider bank syndicate.”

– Ross O’Connor, Avolon CFO

“We’re pleased to partner with Avolon on this transaction, using the strength of our franchise to support their growth. As banks in the Middle East and India deepen their understanding of the lessor business model and look to deploy capital beyond domestic markets, we anticipate they will be a growing source of funding for aviation businesses with a strong track record.”

– Puja Turner, Head of CEEMEA Loans & Structured Credit at JP Morgan

“We are delighted to support Avolon’s growth and to forge a strong relationship with yet another leading player in the global aviation industry. As aviation continues to be a vital driver of economic expansion, we foresee significant opportunities for the sector in the coming years. As pioneers in setting up a dedicated Aviation Desk within the UAE, we bring unparalleled regional expertise and a vision to transform aviation finance. We remain committed to leading and shaping the future of aviation finance, reinforcing our position as a regional powerhouse in this sector.”

– Aamir Mansoor, Head of GRE and Aviation Desk at Emirates NBD