Air Lease Corporation has delivered a new Airbus A330-900 to Delta Air Lines under a sale-leaseback with Blackbird Capital II. The company has also delivered the first of five Boeing 737-8s to Belavia-Belarusian Airlines on long-term lease.
On Thursday (April 8, 2021), Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced the delivery of one new Airbus A330-900neo to Delta Air Lines. The delivery took place on April 5, 2021 under a sale-leaseback transaction with Blackbird Capital II, and a second aircraft will be delivered under the sale-leaseback transaction later this year from ALC’s order book. ALC previously delivered an Airbus A330-900neo to Delta in October 2020.
In Thursday’s announcement, ALC’s Chief Executive Officer, John Plueger, said,
“ALC is absolutely delighted with its growing relationship with Delta. These transactions exemplify the complimentary nature of ALC’s strong order book coupled with sale-leasebacks and the use of our management platforms. We are honored that Delta entrusted ALC with this business.”
In a separate announcement today, ALC announced the delivery of the first of five Boeing 737-8s on long-term lease to Belavia Belarusian Airlines. The aircraft features CFM LEAP-B engines and is delivered from ALC’s order book with Boeing.
Commenting on the delivery, Air Lease Corporation’s Executive Chairman, Steven F. Udvar-Házy said,
“ALC is pleased to confirm this historic and significant transaction with Belavia, delivering the airline’s first 737-8 today. Our team introduced the Boeing 737 aircraft family to Belavia 18 years ago and now we are delighted to announce the first of five new 737-8s on long-term lease with the airline.”
Belavia-Belarusian Airlines’ Director General, Igor Tcherginets, added,
“Since 2003, our passengers have been traveling on Boeing aircraft. Our desire to develop and constantly increase our service level with maximum flight safety does not allow us to stand still. Today, our long-standing partners — Air Lease Corporation and Boeing — have helped us to open a new page in the development of our fleet. The next-generation Boeing 737-8 aircraft will gradually replace the Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 737-500 operated by our airline, which will significantly renew the aircraft fleet of Belavia-Belarusian Airlines.
“It should also be noted that the 737-8 aircraft have better characteristics: they are more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. This will allow us to do what is so expected of us: to reduce the cost of air tickets. For passengers, this aircraft will differ from the usual 737-800 aircraft, primarily in the Business Class cabin. It will be a separate cabin with 12 comfortable seats. Thus, we will offer a significant increase in the service level for our passengers.
“We are very carefully preparing for acceptance of the aircraft: our pilots completed training for this type of aircraft a year ago. Now, they are repeating training. This also concerns the technical personnel: they are re-trained and confirm their readiness for maintenance of this type of aircraft. When accepting a new aircraft, we must be sure of the safety of our passengers and will do everything to guarantee it. We hope that each trip of our passengers will be more comfortable and bright.”
Based in Los Angeles, California, Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) is a leading global aircraft leasing company. The ALC team is principally involved in the purchase of commercial aircraft and leasing them to airlines worldwide with customized leasing and financing solutions.
Source: Air Lease Corporation