China’s jet lessor Calc weighs $3b asset sale

Bloomberg

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd (Calc) is considering selling some of its assets outside greater China that could raise about $3 billion in a transaction, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Hong Kong-listed company is looking to divest around 40 aircraft and approximately 180 aircraft production slots, said the people, who asked not to be identified
as the information is private. Calc, as the company is known, has reached out to prospective buyers for the assets, the people said.
Considerations are at an early stage and Calc could decide against any deal, the people said. A representative for the company declined to comment. A potential divestiture could come as aircraft lessors have picked up an increasing share of the market for jets since the start of the pandemic, as airlines look to finance plane purchases without risking their own balance sheets.
While the fast-growing industry has already seen some consolidation moves recently, rising interest rates could make it harder for smaller lessors to raise cash to fund aircraft purchases.
Last year, CK Asset Holdings Ltd exited its aircraft leasing business with a $4.28 billion sale to an arm of Carlyle Group Inc. In May, SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd agreed to buy smaller rival Goshawk Aviation Ltd at $6.7 billion valuation.
Founded in 2006, Calc is one of China’s largest aircraft lessors, serving clients across 17 countries, according to its website. The Hong Kong-based company’s business includes aircraft leasing and sourcing, aircraft trading and portfolio sale, fleet maintenance and disassembly.