PIMCO and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a business unit of GE, have reached a preliminary agreement to develop an aviation leasing platform to support up to $3 billion in aircraft asset financings. The firms announced in a press release that the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals.
This strategic investment platform will enable GECAS and PIMCO-advised accounts to acquire “new and young fuel-efficient aircraft to meet the needs of a diverse set of global airlines over many years”, they explained. The platform looks to provide “much-needed financing” for airlines which are looking to upgrade their fleets.
The portfolio will initially focus on narrowbody aircraft while allowing flexibility to invest in attractive opportunities in the widebody market. PIMCO and GECAS will consider a range of investment criteria including an airline’s assets and credit quality and also geographic factors.
PIMCO is already one of the world’s largest investors in aviation-backed debt. Both firms think that its presence in aviation financing markets combined with GECAS’ leadership role in the aircraft-leasing segment will provide “enormous flexibility” to fund the global airline industry. GECAS will source transactions, act as servicer and provide asset management services for the platform.
Essential liquidity for a critical industry
“As the airline industry struggles with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PIMCO-GECAS platform will inject essential liquidity into this critical industry by providing financing solutions at a time when there are fewer traditional financing options for airlines,” said Dan Ivascyn, PIMCO’s Group Chief Investment Officer.
In his view, aircraft remain an attractive asset class in a critical infrastructure sector supported by solid long-term growth drivers. He also pointed out that GECAS’ expertise as a world class aircraft lessor aligns with PIMCO’s “longstanding investment strategy” in aviation finance.
Meanwhile, Greg Conlon, president and CEO of GECAS, claimed to be “delighted” to team up with a premier institutional investor such as PIMCO in this strategic relationship which he thinks will enable “opportunistic plays” to support airline customers around the globe.
“While GECAS maintains an industry-leading position, this platform will ensure we can continue providing our airline customers with the aircraft needed to sustain their franchises”, he added.
For Magdalena Martínez
