STAMFORD, Conn., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited
("Aircastle" or the "Company") (NYSE: AYR) announced that it
completed the first part of the Company's previously announced
$900 million purchase and leaseback
agreement with LATAM Airlines Group S.A. ("LATAM") for eight Boeing
777-300ER aircraft. Together with the four Boeing 777-300ERs
acquired thus far in this transaction, Aircastle acquired a total
of eight aircraft with a cost of $715
million during the first quarter of 2014.
About Aircastle Limited
Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet
aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of December 31, 2013, Aircastle's aircraft portfolio
consisted of 162 aircraft on lease with 64 customers located in 37
countries.
About LATAM Airlines Group S.A.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the new name given to LAN Airlines
S.A. as a result of its association with TAM S.A. LATAM Airlines
Group S.A. now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in
Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as
well as TAM S.A. and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas S.A.,
including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur
S.A. (TAM Airlines (Paraguay)) and
Multiplus S.A. This association creates one of the largest airline
groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing
passenger transport services to about 135 destinations in 22
countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 27
countries, with a fleet of 322 aircraft. In total, LATAM Airlines
Group S.A. has more than 52,000 employees and its shares are traded
in Santiago, as well as on the New
York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock
Exchange, in the form of BDRs.
Each airline will continue to operate under their current brands
and identities. For any inquiry of LAN or TAM, please visit
www.lan.com or www.tam.com.br, respectively. Further information at
www.latamairlinesgroup.net.
Safe Harbor
Certain items in this press release and other information we
provide from time to time, may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to,
statements relating to our proposed public offering of notes and
our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise
capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA,
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income and the global aviation
industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as "anticipates,"
"expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "may,"
"will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and
variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are
subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results
materially different from those described in the forward-looking
statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations
will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance
on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations
and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ
materially from Aircastle's expectations include, but are not
limited to, capital markets disruption or volatility which could
adversely affect our continued ability to obtain additional capital
to finance new investments or our working capital needs; government
fiscal or tax policies, general economic and business conditions or
other factors affecting demand for aircraft or aircraft values and
lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax
treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability
to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to
capital, reduced load factors and/or reduced yields, operational
disruptions caused by political unrest and other factors affecting
the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to
continue to perform their obligations under our leases and other
risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle's filings with the
SEC, including as previously disclosed in Aircastle's 2013 Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC, press
releases and other communications. In addition, new risks and
uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for
Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may
cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this press release. Aircastle Limited
expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates
or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
statement is based.
Contact:
Frank Constantinople, SVP Investor Relations
Tel: +1-203-504-1063
fconstantinople@aircastle.com
The IGB Group
Leon Berman
Tel: +1-212-477-8438
lberman@igbir.com
SOURCE Aircastle Limited