ACC Aviation has reported a "strong" fourth quarter of 2022 (Q4 2022), an outcome it said was driven by client demand, including for corporate and team flights to the football World Cup in Qatar.
ACC, an aviation services provider, said it saw "demand from all corners of its service portfolio" as operators struggled with capacity issues and interest rates hikes "threatened financial stability". ACC leasing teams helped airlines capitalise, the company said, and its consulting teams helped identify opportunities and handle challenges .
ACC charter services saw it operate a "World Cup flying schedule" for corporate clients, supporters, individuals and teams, it said, without identifying those it transported to the tournament.
Among other highlights were a Boeing 777 chartered to transport guests between Honolulu and a neighbouring island for 700 guests attending a "corporate incentive event".
The sometimes-challenging flying conditions during the quarter saw ACC in demand to fill gaps in regular schedules. "The charter team were launching private jets sometimes within four hours of first receiving a request to help a commercial carrier trying to protect their schedules," ACC said, adding it ran 52 charter flights over four days for 7,000 passengers headed for Florida from the US and overseas.
"Demand for international travel will likely continue, and infrastructure-related challenges will hopefully ease", ACC said of 2023, predicting a busy year for charter operators.
ACC said it completed the repossession transition and placement of a 737-800 on a long-term operating lease to carrier Safair on behalf of a South African financier, and re-marketed a 737-300 to a private investor on behalf of a secured lender that was exposed to bankrupted airline Tayaran Jet.
It also finished a valuation assignment covering a portfolio of 55 aircraft on behalf of an aircraft lessor and did due diligence for a "leading import/export bank" covering asset valuation, value and maintenance event forecasting, credit risk, LTV forecasting, and transaction structuring advisory.
For 2023, ACC said it believes "delayed deliveries of new aircraft will lead to higher demand for current-generation aircraft and ACMI leases".
"While increased interest rates and inflation create a more challenging economic environment, passenger demand and yields are strong and look to remain strong, despite the economic headwinds," it added.
"Supply chain issues remain a challenge across the industry, with airlines likely turning to short-term leases to alleviate the capacity issues," ACC said.