Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (S.A.L.E.) is maintaining its ongoing fleet development plan, with the firm order of an additional A320 aircraft. The order brings the lessor’s total firm commitments for the Airbus single aisle family to 51, of which 21 have already been delivered. The newly ordered aircraft will be delivered in 2004.

Commenting on the fleet plan, Robert Martin, S.A.L.E. Managing Director, said that the lessor maintained its outlook for a return to growth in the air transport market within the next year, generating further demand for new generation aircraft types.

“Following the recent retirement by airlines of many older aircraft, we believe that demand for newer aircraft types such as the A320 family will be strong in the coming years,” he said. “At S.A.L.E. we have therefore maintained all our firm orders, continue to convert our A320 family options and are also acquiring additional aircraft through purchase and leaseback agreements.”

Established in 1993, S.A.L.E. has swiftly grown to become the world’s leading Asia- based aircraft leasing company, with a current portfolio of 40 modern aircraft and 22 customers in 16 countries across the world. The portfolio is one of the youngest in the leasing market, with an average age of just 4.6 years.

S.A.L.E. has been consistently profitable since its inception. During the last fiscal year it recorded a net profit before tax of US$41.4 million on revenues of US$137.6 million.

*******

Robert Martin is available to discuss the current market environment and S.A.L.E.’s market outlook with the media during Asian Aerospace.

For further information, please contact: Sean LEE
Handphone: +65 96196549 [email protected]