Aircastle Closes the Acquisition and Lease of One A330-200 Aircraft Funded by an ECA-Supported Loan
June 02 2009 - 4:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
STAMFORD, Conn., June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aircastle Limited
(NYSE: AYR) announced today that one of its subsidiaries has taken
delivery of a new Airbus A330-200 aircraft on long-term lease to
Aerovias del Continente Americano ("Avianca"). Avianca is the flag
carrier of Colombia and one of the largest airlines in Latin
America. This aircraft purchase is partially funded by a term loan
from Citibank International Plc which is supported by a guarantee
from Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur
("Coface"), the French export credit agency ("ECA"). This aircraft
is an advancement of one of Aircastle's new A330 aircraft order
positions, with eleven additional aircraft currently scheduled to
deliver from Airbus between 2010 and 2012. Ron Wainshal,
Aircastle's Chief Executive Officer commented, "Aircastle is
pleased to be doing business with Avianca and supporting them in
their fleet renewal program. This financing represents our
inaugural ECA-supported transaction and establishes the template
for future ECA-supported financings, which may play an important
role in the financing of our A330 order." About Aircastle Limited
Aircastle Limited is a global company that acquires, leases and
sells high-utility commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout
the world. As of March 31, 2009 Aircastle's aircraft portfolio
consisted of 130 aircraft comprising a variety of passenger and
freighter aircraft types that were leased to 58 lessees located in
32 countries. Safe Harbor Certain items in this press release and
other information we provide from time to time, may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not
necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to
acquire, sell and lease aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and
increase revenues, earnings and EBITDA and the global aviation
industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as "anticipates,"
"expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "may,"
"will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and
variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are
subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results
materially different from those described in the forward-looking
statements; Aircastle Limited can give no assurance that its
expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this
press release. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on
our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual
results to differ materially from Aircastle Limited's expectations
include, but are not limited to, prolonged capital markets
disruption and volatility, which may adversely affect our continued
ability to obtain additional capital to finance our working capital
needs, our pre-delivery payment obligations and other aircraft
acquisition commitments, our ability to extend or replace our
existing financings, and the demand for and value of aircraft; our
exposure to increased bank and counterparty risk caused by credit
and capital markets disruptions; general economic conditions and
business conditions affecting demand for aircraft and lease rates;
our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda,
Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high
or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to capital, reduced load
factors and yields and other factors affecting the creditworthiness
of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform
their obligations under our leases; termination payments on our
interest rate hedges; and other risks detailed from time to time in
Aircastle Limited's filings with the SEC, including "Risk Factors"
as previously disclosed in Aircastle's 2008 Annual Report on Form
10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC, press releases and
other communications. In addition, new risks and uncertainties
emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to
predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its
actual results to differ from those contained in any
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this press release. Aircastle Limited
expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates
or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
statement is based. DATASOURCE: Aircastle Limited CONTACT: Julia
Hallisey, Investor Relations, +1-203-504-1063 Web Site:
http://www.aircastle.com/
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