Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, issued an update for Q4 and full-year 2019.

2019 Full Year Highlights:

• Owned and managed fleet of 525 aircraft at year-end, with total orders and commitments for 400 fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft
• Total of 154 airline customers operating in 62 countries
• Delivered a total of 54 new aircraft and transitioned 24 aircraft to a total of 36 customers
• Sold 92 aircraft in 2019, five of which were managed
• Executed a total of 109 lease transactions, comprising new aircraft leases, second leases, lease extensions and 32 sale agreements
• Corporate credit rating upgraded to investment grade by Fitch, Moody’s and S&P Global. Credit ratings as at 31 December were:
  • Fitch BBB- (Stable Outlook)
  • KBRA BBB+ (Stable Outlook)
  • Moody’s Baa3 (Stable Outlook)
  • S&P Global BBB- (Stable Outlook)
• Successfully raised a total of $5.1 billion of debt including $3.6 billion of senior unsecured notes, $0.5 billion of unsecured term loan debt and $1.0 billion of warehouse and other revolving credit capacity
• Repaid $3.7 billion of secured debt during the year, materially increasing unencumbered assets and repriced our senior secured Term Loan B to LIBOR plus 1.75%
• Extended the maturity of our unsecured revolving credit facility by 21 months to April 2024 and reduced the facility margin to 1.25%, while increasing the size to $3.2 billion

Q4 Fleet Metrics & Business Highlights:

• Executed a total of 56 lease transactions in the quarter comprising of new aircraft leases, follow-on leases and lease extensions
• Delivered a total of 19 new aircraft to 13 customers and transitioned six aircraft to follow-on lessees
• Sold 24 aircraft during the quarter, two of which were managed.

Dómhnal Slattery, CEO Avolon, commented: “2019 represented a landmark year for Avolon with the upgrade to an investment-grade rating from three agencies ahead of market expectations. Our current ratings profile will ensure that we continue to have access to funding at attractive terms and with greater financial flexibility.

Looking ahead into 2020, the prospects for Avolon are positive. We have an industry-leading platform, an orderbook of new technology aircraft, a global footprint and a strong capital structure. Against that backdrop, our team at Avolon is fully focused on continuing to deliver attractive returns for our investors.”