ACC Aviation has reported an “exceptionally strong third quarter, with its US office experiencing its strongest three months in its short history”. ACC Aviation’s consultancy arm reports a strong Q3 with consulting activity significantly up on previous years – 107% up, versus full year 2020 and 136% compared with 2019. ACC Aviation’s closed aircraft remarketing/sourcing deals year to date now totals seven assets. Aircraft trading activity has been dominated by narrowbody freighter feedstock and freighter converted aircraft – accounting for 60% of all deals.
Following the recent launch of its inhouse aviation finance advisory practice, headed by Viktor Berta, the aviation finance advisory team won its first mandate - to arrange the financing for acquisition and freighter conversion for a portfolio of Airbus widebody aircraft.
Unprecedented time critical charter activity saw ACC engage with various air carriers to help facilitate the movement of 10,700 evacuees on multiple flights to support the Afghanistan Air Lift in August. It also arranged a series of international and domestic charters for US athletes in Japan.
In the UK, charter has been a strong performer since the onset of the pandemic, culminating in a 50% increase in activity in Q3 compared with the same period in 2020.
“This quarter was largely dominated by our rescue activity out of Kabul,” highlights ACC Aviation CEO Phil Mathews. “We were extremely proud to have played a meaningful contribution toward this massive air lift operation this summer which saw ACC teams – in the US, UK and Middle East - working together, around the clock, on some very complex, logistically challenging, and time sensitive sorties.”
During the quarter ACC Aviation concluded the remarketing and sale of two Dash 8-100 Combi aircraft for Canadian North, closed the acquisition of two 737-400s to Frontera/Aeronaves, closed the acquisition of one 737-400 on behalf of Fly Wings, and exclusively appointed by US Bangla Airlines in Bangladesh to arrange disposal of three Dash 8 Q400s, plus spares.
The company also disclosed that it had been engaged by an Italian private investor to develop a feasibility study and business plan for a start-up airline and has been mandated by a European operator to arrange the financing of an A340-600 portfolio acquisition and freight conversion programme.
“This past quarter’s activity strongly demonstrated the breadth of our group’s skill and expertise which positions us well now the airline industry is rebuilding, new aircraft are being ordered, and companies are recruiting again,” said Phil Mathews.