Commercial aircraft are expensive. A new long-haul airliner costs more than US$100million. Few airlines can afford to pay cash for all of their fleet. Today, more than 1/3 of the world commercial aircrafts are managed by operating lease companies, which provide important liquidity to airlines. As some European banks are exiting the aircraft leasing business, Asian capital is stepping up, exemplified by the sale of RBS Aviation of Scotland to a consortium led by Sumitomo Mitsui of Japan in 2012.

Different Aircraft Finance Options

Important Role of Aircraft Lessors

Aircraft Leasing Structure