PIF’s AviLease in talks to buy Standard Chartered’s jet leasing arm: Report

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Aircraft Leasing Co. (AviLease), an aircraft leasing company owned by the Public Investment Fund, is in advanced talks to acquire Standard Chartered’s aviation finance business, Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources.

The sources said the deal could be valued at at least $3.7 billion.

In June 2022, the PIF launched AviLease to initially focus on sale-and-leaseback transactions with airlines, as well as fleet management services and direct orders from aircraft manufacturers. In addition, the new entity will look into expansions through portfolio and corporate acquisitions, Argaam reported.

Ireland-based Standard Chartered Aviation Finance owns and manages more than 120 aircraft and offers services including jet fuel hedging, debt financing and remarketing of unneeded planes.