Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) has recorded it eighth year of consecutive growth in fiscal 2001-2002, with revenues up 13% to US$155.6 million and profit before tax and one exceptional charge up 14.8% to US$47.5 million.
The positive results were achieved despite the difficulties facing the airline industry post- September 11, with most of the SALE fleet placed with airlines on a long-term basis and a relatively strong customer base.
Altogether, 14 aircraft were added to the SALE fleet during the year. These included three A320 family aircraft and one B777-200ER delivered new from the manufacturers - all of which were placed with airlines on delivery. Seven more A320s were acquired from airlines in purchase and leaseback transactions, as well as one A330-300 and two B737-800s – the company’s first Next Generation 737 types. The company also extended leases on two A310-200s, one B737-300 and three A320s, and transitioned three A320s to new operators.
In addition to its core leasing business, the trading of aircraft with leases attached contributed to the positive performance during the year, with the sale to investors of three A320s and one B777-200ER. Significantly, three of the transactions were completed in the second half of the year at levels similar to those obtainable pre-September 11, demonstrating the ongoing appetite of the investment market for newer aircraft with long term leases attached.
As a result of the deliveries, aircraft acquisitions and sales, the company ended the year with a portfolio of 39 modern aircraft. The fleet remains one of the youngest in the leasing industry, with an average age for wholly-owned aircraft of just five years. Total value of the aircraft assets at year-end stood at US$1.8 billion, with a debt to equity ratio of 4:1.
SALE maintained a high level of liquidity throughout the year and, reflecting its track record of prudent financial management, was able to retain the confidence of the financial community. Altogether, the company raised a total of US$636 million through commercial loans, export credit agency funding and a successful Singapore bond issue. Importantly, almost half of the total funding for the year was secured post-September 11, at a time when a number of banks effectively withdrew from the aviation sector, and with only a marginal increase in pricing on commercial debt facilities over 12 year terms.
At a corporate level, SALE pursued its international expansion during the year, with new offices opening in Washington D.C. and San Diego, California. Meanwhile, the senior marketing team was increased from two to five, with regional directors located in every world region. The in-house technical team was also expanded, and new communication and human resource functions were also created. The total staff level at year-end had risen from 32 to 41.
-/-