15 September 2021 – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings Limited (“Sirius”), a global aircraft lessor headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), today announced that one of its joint venture entities had closed its first bank facility with Deutsche Bank to refinance the acquisition of five (5) single-aisle aircraft which it had acquired in 2020.
The five aircraft are on operating leases to three different carriers: three Boeing 737 NG’s with Southwest (US), one A320 with Spirit (US) and one A320 with Etihad (UAE).
Sirius’ share of this joint venture was funded via its commitment from its anchor investor, Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners (“ADCP”). ADCP is a joint venture between Mubadala Investment Company P.J.S.C. (a sovereign investor owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi) and Falcon Edge (a US investment company).
Sirius commenced operations in ADGM in March 2020 and in less than 18 months has grown its fleet to 12 aircraft. Over the next three years it plans to grow its fleet to 100 aircraft.
Kieran Ryan, Chief Financial Officer of Sirius commenting on the transaction and the growth of the business at ADGM said;
“We are pleased to have executed our first facility with Deutsche Bank, as establishing this banking relationship is a significant milestone for the business. The successful conclusion of this debt transaction is both an endorsement of the underlying strength of the market for mid-life aircraft, and Sirius’s business strategy of leasing to top tier operators of these aircraft.
Closing our first bank facility, despite the turbulence in the aviation industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic, further enhances the reputation of ADGM as a platform, not only to launch an international business, but also to financing transactions with global banks like Deutsche Bank. We would also like to acknowledge the outstanding support provided by the ADGM team, which has been fundamental to the development and growth of Sirius as a global aircraft lessor based in ADGM. It is further endorsement of ADGM being the “location of choice” for high-growth companies that want to establish a footprint in the region and develop relationships with global financial institutions.
We also want to recognize and thank our anchor investor, Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners (“ADCP”), for their outstanding support and excellent counsel to the Sirius team, as we grow our business in ADGM.
Looking forward, we have a strong pipeline of attractive investment opportunities which we will deliver on in the coming months. We anticipate that air traffic volumes will continue to rise as vaccines are rolled out globally, and we plan to take advantage of this recovery to double our fleet to 25 aircraft in the next 12 months, and to over 100 in the next three years. We also will continue to work closely with our investors, shareholders, and the ADGM team to deliver these ambitious targets.”
About Sirius
Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings Limited is a global aircraft lessor headquartered in ADGM, Abud Dhabi, UAE. Sirius deploys innovative strategies in the financing and acquisition of aircraft, offering its investors attractive, risk-adjusted, stable, and transparent returns. Sirius primarily targets opportunities in mid-life short-haul aircraft.
About Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre (IFC) located in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, opened for business on 21 October 2015. Established by a UAE Federal Decree as a broad-based financial centre, ADGM augments Abu Dhabi’s position as a global trade and business hub serving as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the rest of the world.
ADGM’s strategy is anchored by Abu Dhabi’s key strengths spanning over private banking, wealth management, asset management, derivatives and commodities trading, financial innovation, sustainability and more. Comprising four independent authorities: ADGM Authority, ADGM Courts, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Registration Authority, ADGM as an IFC governs the entire 114 hectares (1.14sqkm) of Al Maryah Island which is a designated financial free zone.
It enables registered financial and non-financial institutions, companies and entities to operate, innovate and succeed within an international regulatory framework based on common law. Since its inception, ADGM has been awarded the “Financial Centre of the Year (MENA)” for four consecutive years for its initiatives and contributions to the financial and capital markets industry in the region.*
* Source: The Global Investor Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Awards
About Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners
Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners is a joint venture between Mubadala Investment Company, based in Abu Dhabi, and Falcon Edge Capital, based in New York City. ADCP was established in April 2019 with a dual mandate to achieve financial returns while also contributing to the overall development of the ADGM. ADCP seek to partner with top-tier investment firms and industry leading businesses who would benefit from developing a meaningful and sustainable presence in the ADGM. https://www.adcatalystpartners.com/
For Further Information:
Nicholas McDonagh
Teneo
Tel +971(0) 50 457 2394