Citing two sources, Reuters has reported that aircraft lessor Avolon – currently owned by Cinven, CVC Capital Partners and Oak Hill Capital Partners – is preparing for an initial public offering this year. The news services states that the lessor has been interviewing investment banks in the last few weeks to hire underwriters for an IPO.
The news is unsurprising to most in the industry since Avolon has indicated its openness to listing in the past along. Indeed many expect both Avolon and AWAS to seek an IPO this year since stock valuations are climbing once again, with aircraft leasing stock enjoying 1.3 times book value at this moment in time. With the industry continuing along its consolidation path, launching an IPO would enable these companies to use stock as currency for purchasing rival leasing companies, much in the same vein as AerCap has done with its purchase of ILFC.
Since the AerCap ILFC deal was disclosed, investors have been looking more favourably at aircraft leasing companies and the time is ripe for more lessors to consider listing. The demand is certainly there.
Read more about the advantages of aircraft lessors going public in the forthcoming (March/April) Issue 19 of Airline Economicswww.airlineeconomics.co.