REPORT: Lessor SMBC in talks to buy Goshawk

SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world’s biggest aircraft lessors, is nearing a deal to acquire smaller rival Goshawk for about $7 billion, including debt, Reuters reported on Friday (13 May) citing people familiar with the matter. The deal between the two privately held, Dublin, Ireland-based lessors could be announced this week, Reuters reported. If the deal happens, it would create a global aircraft leasing giant as consolidation sweeps the industry. Last year, the world’s two largest aircraft leasing companies, Ireland’s AerCap and GE’s leasing arm GECAS, merged in a deal worth more than $30 billion. SMBC Aviation Capital, which is owned by a consortium including Japan’s Sumitomo Corp and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, has a fleet of more than 750 owned, managed and committed aircraft, mostly Boeing and Airbus short-haul models, according to its website. Goshawk, which is a 50-50 joint venture between Hong Kong-based conglomerate NWS Holdings Limited and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, has an owned, managed and committed fleet that consists of 222 aircraft, its website showed. A flurry of deals has reshaped a global air finance industry that has attracted a huge swathe of capital in recent years, according to Reuters. The aviation investment arm of private equity firm Carlyle Group Inc agreed last year to buy aircraft leasing company Fly Leasing Ltd for $2.36 billion, including debt. In December, Carlyle’s aviation arm also agreed to buy Irish leasing firm AMCK Aviation’s portfolio of aircraft. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]