Sky plans more leases after latest A320neo arrives | Analysis | Airfinance Global

Sky plans more leases after latest A320neo arrives

By Dominic Lalk Last Updated: 28 Oct 2021
Tags Airlines Latin America

Chilean carrier Sky Airline has accepted an Airbus A320neo from Hong Kong SAR-based China Aircraft Leasing (CALC), the parties confirm.

Sky now operates 22 leased A320neos and two A321neos, and is targeting additional leases alongside 10 A321neo aircraft on direct order from Airbus.

Airfinance Journal understands that Sky will lease in additional A320neos from CALC before the end of the year.

Founded in 2001, Sky has become the second-largest airline in Chile behind LATAM and is the first airline to operate under a low-cost model in the country.

Sky serves routes across southern South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay. It also operates domestic flights within Chile.

Earlier this month, Sky said it had agreed to a merger with Colombia-based Avianca.

The merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 or early 2022, pending regulatory approvals. Both airlines will retain their brands for now.

Sky will become a subsidiary of Avianca, and its chief executive officer, Holger Paulmann, will be a shareholder of the parent company.

As for CALC, the lessor last week delivered another A320neo to another operator in Chile, Jetsmart, the low-cost carrier that recently signed an agreement to sell a stake to American Airlines. The lessor now has five aircraft with Jetsmart Chile.

Regional Snapshot

Transactions
Transaction Name Stage
VivaAeroBus | Operating lease | 02-25 | 1xA320neo Finance mandated
GOL | Sale leaseback | 02-25 | $270m (est.) | 5x737 Max8 Finance mandated
GOL | Sale leaseback | 02-25 | $162m (est.) | 3x737 Max8 Finance mandated
Avianca | Bond issue | 01-25 | $1bn Finance mandated
Bermudair | Operating lease | 01-25 | 2xE190 Finance mandated
Volaris | Sale leaseback | 02-25 | $66m (est.) | 1xA321neo Financial close
Volaris | Sale leaseback | 02-25 | $248m (est.) | 4xA/c Financial close
Embraer | Bond issue | 02-25 | $650m Financial close
VivaAeroBus | Finance lease | 02-25 | $234m (est.) | 4xA321neo Financial close
Total Linhas Aereas | Operating lease | 01-25 | 1x737-400SF Financial close