Aegean likely to continue to use operating leases as preferred method of aircraft acquisition

CAPA – Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: ‘Aegean Airlines: operating leases will dominate new refleeting orders for 45-60 Boeing or Airbus‘, stated (17-Sep-2017) while Aegean currently operates Airbus narrowbodies, it is equally evaluating the new generation A320neo family and 737 MAX. A decision is expected before the end of 2017. Although the airline is currently an Airbus operator, it has experience with Boeing aircraft, with its narrowbody fleet being all Boeing up until 2006. It will continue to use operating leases as its preferred means of funding aircraft acquisitions and believes that lessors have ample capacity to place. The last of its 737s exited the fleet by the end of 2010, highlighting the flexibility coming from its predominant use of operating leases. [more – CAPA Analysis]