Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) has signed an agreement with Air Asia of Malaysia for the lease of one B737-300 aircraft. Scheduled for delivery to the airline in June, the aircraft will join four other B737-300s flying on the carrier’s fast growing route network.

Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Air Asia, said that the addition of the aircraft represented another significant step in the airline’s development as Asia’s first true low cost carrier.

“With a single aircraft type, short turnaround times and no frills service, Air Asia brings to the Asian travelling public the benefits which have made low cost carriers so successful in the US and Europe,” he said. “We were extremely pleased that a company so close to home was able to offer us an aircraft which meets our needs, at the right time and the right price.”

Robert Martin, Managing Director of SALE, said that leasing offered significant benefits for low cost carriers, where the emphasis was primarily on highly efficient aircraft utilisation.

“With a streamlined fleet of leased aircraft Air Asia will be able to utilise effectively its capital in order to build a successful business,” he said. “We believe that the carrier has all the right ingredients to meet its goals and are proud to be part of such an exciting project.”

Established in 1993, SALE 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 company has 32 more aircraft on firm order with Airbus and Boeing for delivery through to 2008.

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For further information, please contact: Sean LEE
Tel: +65 6325 9557
e-mail: [email protected]

Visit the SALE website: www.saleleasing.com