Dublin-based lessor Avolon reported an increase in lease activity in 2022, carrying out 237 lease transactions during the year as air travel rebounded.
Avolon said it delivered, transitioned and sold 107 aircraft, including a "landmark" US $2 billion deal with Malaysia Airlines for the financing of 20 A330-900neo jets.
Of the 107 aircraft, 35 were sent to new customers, 35 were transitioned to 27 customers and 36 were sold, Avolon explained.
Avolon said it added 10 new customers during the year, by the end of which it said it owned and managed 576 aircraft and had orders for 258 fuel-efficient, new-technology planes.
The lessor said it raised US $2.2 billion in new financing and increased total revolving debt capacity to over US $6.0 billion.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, Avolon executed 75 lease transactions and delivered 25 new aircraft to seven customers, while transitioning eight aircraft to follow-on lessees and selling 18 aircraft.
Among other highlights for the year, the lessor said it had placed an order for 500 Vertical Aerospace electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and delivered a first A330 to be converted into a freighter.
Chief executive Andy Cronin described 2022 as "a successful year" for Avolon. "This appetite for travel was reflected in the increased utilisation of our fleet compared to 2021, with demand for both our new and used aircraft supporting our strong leasing and trading activity," he added.
During the year, Avolon received an inaugural environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating of 16.0, or low risk, from Sustainalytic, and partnered with "global aviation leaders" such as Boeing on a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feasibility study.