ID :
47331
Tue, 02/24/2009 - 15:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/47331
The shortlink copeid
BARCLAYS CAPITAL TO FINANCE 15 NEW AIRBUS FOR AIRASIA
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (bernama) -- AirAsia has mandated Barclays Capital, the
investment banking division of Barclays PLC, to finance 15 of its new Airbus
A320-200 aircraft.
The financing will bring AirAsia's total fleet to 85 aircraft by early 2010,
operated by Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad and its affiliates, Indonesia AirAsia
and Thai AirAsia, said AirAsia in a statement.
So far, three aircraft have been delivered under this facility since Dec 31,
2008, with the support of the Export Credit Agencies of the United Kingdom,
France and Germany, it said.
A signing ceremony was held Monday in London to formalise the facility,
attended by senior officials of AirAsia Bhd, Barclays Capital, Airbus and
BayernLB.
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said: "AirAsia is very pleased to
have secured this financing from Barclays Capital which represents part of the
financing that we have secured for our Airbus A320 aircraft purchases for the
next couple of years.
AirAsia services the most extensive network in South East Asia, with over
114 routes covering more than 64 destinations.
AirAsia has carried over 55 million passengers and grown its fleet from just
two aircraft in 2001.
AirAsia is proud to be a truly Association of South East Asian Nations
(Asean) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and
Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean member countries,
China, India and Bangladesh.
AirAsia's low-cost long-haul carrier affiliate, AirAsia X, will soon
commence service between Kuala Lumpur and London (Stansted), in addition to its
existing routes to Australia (Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast) and China
(Hangzhou and Tianjin).
"This partnership between AirAsia and Barclays Capital is a testament of the
confidence and trust that the global financial community has towards AirAsia's
prospects and potentials. We are very positive that we will carry through the
global economic storm and emerge bigger and stronger," added Fernandes.
AirAsia became the largest airline customer in the world of the Airbus
A320-200 after placing a firm order for 175 aircraft in December 2007, with
the option for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to run until 2014.
"This transaction is the culmination of a close long-standing relationship
between AirAsia Berhad and Barclays Capital.
"Our focus is on meeting our clients' needs, especially in the most
challenging conditions. We are proud to support AirAsia and Airbus in the
financing of these aircraft and assist the airline in achieving its ambitious
growth plans," said Arnaud Fiscel, Head of Aviation at Barclays Capital in
London.
-- BERNAMA
investment banking division of Barclays PLC, to finance 15 of its new Airbus
A320-200 aircraft.
The financing will bring AirAsia's total fleet to 85 aircraft by early 2010,
operated by Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad and its affiliates, Indonesia AirAsia
and Thai AirAsia, said AirAsia in a statement.
So far, three aircraft have been delivered under this facility since Dec 31,
2008, with the support of the Export Credit Agencies of the United Kingdom,
France and Germany, it said.
A signing ceremony was held Monday in London to formalise the facility,
attended by senior officials of AirAsia Bhd, Barclays Capital, Airbus and
BayernLB.
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said: "AirAsia is very pleased to
have secured this financing from Barclays Capital which represents part of the
financing that we have secured for our Airbus A320 aircraft purchases for the
next couple of years.
AirAsia services the most extensive network in South East Asia, with over
114 routes covering more than 64 destinations.
AirAsia has carried over 55 million passengers and grown its fleet from just
two aircraft in 2001.
AirAsia is proud to be a truly Association of South East Asian Nations
(Asean) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and
Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean member countries,
China, India and Bangladesh.
AirAsia's low-cost long-haul carrier affiliate, AirAsia X, will soon
commence service between Kuala Lumpur and London (Stansted), in addition to its
existing routes to Australia (Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast) and China
(Hangzhou and Tianjin).
"This partnership between AirAsia and Barclays Capital is a testament of the
confidence and trust that the global financial community has towards AirAsia's
prospects and potentials. We are very positive that we will carry through the
global economic storm and emerge bigger and stronger," added Fernandes.
AirAsia became the largest airline customer in the world of the Airbus
A320-200 after placing a firm order for 175 aircraft in December 2007, with
the option for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to run until 2014.
"This transaction is the culmination of a close long-standing relationship
between AirAsia Berhad and Barclays Capital.
"Our focus is on meeting our clients' needs, especially in the most
challenging conditions. We are proud to support AirAsia and Airbus in the
financing of these aircraft and assist the airline in achieving its ambitious
growth plans," said Arnaud Fiscel, Head of Aviation at Barclays Capital in
London.
-- BERNAMA
