- Latest edition June 11th: Airline profits to slide
- May 28th: Retirement rates and increased deliveries
- May 14th: Spirit complications
- April 30th: Demand for aviation assets solid despite airline industry challenges
- April 16th: Sumisho ALC gets off the ground
- April 2nd: Jet fuel prices and airline hedging strategies
Aviation ABS Sculptor closes aircraft ABS, strikes up partnership with SMBC ACUS global alternative asset manager Sculptor Capital Management has closed its first aircraft ABS, Eclipse 2026-1, with the 23 aircraft-backed issuance establishing a new strategic partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital. This latest deal maintains the momentum in aircraft ABS issuance with 2026 on course to exceed 2025 issuance levels as the market remains strong despite the conflict in the Middle East and the major negative knock-on affects it is having on airline's financial performance. Business Jets Bain Capital launches corporate jet financing and leasing platform
Aviation Business Crestone says Arena acquisition is the 'next step' in growth strategyCrestone Air Partners has closed the deal to buy Dutch aviation asset manager Arena Aviation Capital with Crestone's CEO saying the fast-growing aviation business has the backing 'to invest through every phase of the cycle.' The tie-up is part of the major consolidation trend at play in the aviation finance sector and adds further scale to the Crestone Air Partners platform that was established in 2022. Following the closing of this deal Crestone's footprint now extends from North America, Europe and Asia to South America and has over $4 billion of assets under management. |
In this issue In this issueThe momentum in the aircraft ABS market remains strong with two deals featured - including a business jet-backed deal. Sculptor Capital Management's issuance establishes a new partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital, with the alternative asset manager referencing the lessor's scale as key attraction in striking up the sponsor/servicer partnership. We also feature the lessor's last pre-Air Lease deal financial report, IATA's updated forecast for airline profitability and Crestone's plans now that it has completed the acquisition of Arena Aviation Capital. Leasing Business SMBC Aviation Capital's profits jumped 20% ahead of Air Lease deal close
Airlines Airline industry profits to slide for 2026Higher fuel costs and air travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will slash the global airline industry's forecasted profits for 2026 in half as airlines bear the brunt of the jet fuel price shock which has seen prices rise quickly by up to 70%. The deteriorating forecast for airline profitability was delivered by IATA in its financial outlook for the industry at its 2026 AGM which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the 6th-8 of June. Impacts will vary from region to region, with Middle East airline profitability to be worst hit, but all regions will be negatively impacted. |
Bain Capital has teamed up with Brickell Asset Management to launch a new financing and leasing platform aimed at mid-life business jets, a segment it says is underserved in comparison to commercial jets. Meanwhile, Global Jet Capital has launched its latest aircraft ABS, backed by a portfolio of young business jets.
SMBC Aviation Capital reported robust financials for its latest financial year (ending 31st March 2026) with highlights including lease revenues of almost $2 billion, pre tax profits of over $700m and record aircraft sales of $2.6 billion with CEO Peter Barret describing the leasing company's latest financial year as 'one of the most significant years in SMBC Aviation Capital's 25-year history.' It also offers a final snapshot of the SMBC AC business prior to the closing of the Air Lease deal.