CALC, a full value-chain aircraft solutions provider for global airlines, is pleased to announce that it has received “Aircraft Lessor of the Year 2017” at the Global Transport Finance 2017 Annual Awards Ceremony held in London on 9 January. The award marks the third year that CALC has won recognition from the international community for its professionalism and know-how in aircraft leasing and aviation financing, and as one of the most important players in the global aviation industry.
The judging panel acclaimed CALC for its strong orderbook, which was further strengthened with two bulk orders it placed during the year. The Group purchased 50 new Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft in June 2017, and has recently ordered 65 additional Airbus A320neo aircraft. The orders made its total orderbook with Airbus and Boeing increased to 267 aircraft, a remarkable achievement underpinned by CALC’s decade-long and dynamic relationship with the manufacturers. The Group currently owns a fleet of 108 aircraft, and its backlog after the new order stands at 193 aircraft (143 Airbus and 50 Boeing).
The financings the Group has put in place also differentiated the lessor from its peers. At the end of 2017, CALC has launched China’s first asset-backed security (ABS) denominated and settled in a foreign currency, which is also the first ABS in aircraft leasing in the public placement market. This is the latest strategic step CALC has taken to develop innovative finance products with aircraft leasing as the underlying asset.
Mr. Mike Poon, Chief Executive Officer of CALC, commented, “We are honored and proud to be named ‘Aircraft Lessor of the Year’ for the third consecutive year. 2017 has been an incredible and fruitful year for CALC which has grown not only in fleet size and client portfolio, but also in innovation of our financial products and full life-cycle aircraft solutions, as well as the breakthrough of facilitating industry cooperation. CALC strives to be a driving force in the global aviation industry, and we look forward to delivering our goals and fulfilling our commitments in 2018.”
