Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces the completion of its merger agreement with Bohai Leasing (“Bohai”). As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bohai, Avolon’s shares have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

Transaction Highlights

  • Avolon is now a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Bohai Leasing, a global leader in transportation (container and aircraft) leasing.
  • Bohai Leasing is the only listed leasing company on the Chinese A-Share stock market and is majority owned by HNA Group, a Fortune 500 company with global interests in a range of sectors including aviation, leasing, logistics, tourism and transportation.
  • Avolon will be the core aircraft leasing brand for Bohai Leasing and its parent, HNA Group, and assumes management of the Hong Kong Aviation Capital (HKAC) business, another Bohai subsidiary.
  • Avolon’s owned, managed and committed fleet, at December 31, 2015, together with the HKAC fleet, comprises 420 aircraft with an average aircraft age of 3.2 years and a value of c. US$22 billion serving 67 customers in 36 countries.
  • Avolon’s pro-forma fleet includes direct orders from manufacturers for new technology aircraft, including 105 Airbus neo aircraft (A320 family and A330); 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft; and 6 Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
  • Avolon, together with HNA Group and Bohai’s other aircraft leasing interests, comprises a total fleet of more than 500 aircraft – the world’s fourth largest aircraft leasing business by asset value.
  • Avolon will remain headquartered in Dublin, with a strategic Asian regional head office in Hong Kong and offices in Dubai, Shanghai, Singapore and the United States.
  • Avolon retains the same experienced management team since formation in 2010, all of whom remain with the integrated business which has a total employee base of 88 people.
  • Avolon is now part of the HNA Group’s extensive interests in the aviation sector globally including:
    • Interests in 25 airlines: 20 in China along with airlines in Brazil, France, Portugal, South Africa and Turkey.
    • Owner of 9 airports in China with a stated ambition to invest in airports in other markets.
    • Owner of myTechnic, a large European aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business.
    • Owner of Swissport, the world’s leading provider of ground and cargo handling services
  • As part of Bohai and the HNA Group, Avolon has a medium-term objective to become a top 3 aircraft lessor globally.

Avolon CEO, Dómhnal Slattery, said: “The completion of our acquisition by Bohai is an exciting step in the development of Avolon. We are delighted to be part of Bohai and the wider HNA Group who share our ambitious growth plans. With a fleet of over 500 aircraft, we are now the world’s fourth largest aircraft leasing firm.”

“The Avolon management team remains committed to the business and we see significant opportunities for growth under Bohai’s ownership. We have a proven management team, a strong market position and a parent with the industry experience and financial strength to support our objective to become a top 3 player in the industry.”

Chris Jin, CEO of Bohai Leasing, commented: “Avolon is a leader in the aircraft leasing industry with a strong track record and a leading global platform. We are delighted to welcome Avolon to Bohai and the wider HNA family. Our aircraft leasing interests, now operating under the Avolon brand, position us as the world’s fourth largest aircraft lessor. This position is consistent with our corporate vision at Bohai – which is to build each of our transportation finance businesses into global leaders.”

“The Avolon team has delivered remarkable growth over the past 6 years to become a leading industry franchise with a distinct business model and together we are now entering another exciting phase of growth.”

Adam Tan, President of HNA Group, concluded: “HNA continues to invest across a range of sectors which we believe offer strong, sustainable returns. The aviation sector has been at the core of the HNA business since it was founded and we are pleased to have acquired a successful business and proven management team in Avolon who share our ambitious growth plans. Bohai now has two of the world’s leading leasing businesses – in container and aircraft leasing – and we are committed to continuing to invest in their future success in their respective sectors.”