AWAS Aviation Capital, AWAS Dublin-based unit, announced on Friday that it planned to sell $600 million of senior secured notes due in 2016. Proceeds from the are intended to repay debt, finance the purchase of new aircraft and for general corporate purposes, the firm confirmed in a public statement.
Meanwhile, AWAS has announced it has leased three new 737-800s to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, the second largest airline in Scandinavia. The first 737-800 will be delivered early in 2011.
Bjørn Kjos, the CEO of Norwegian, stated that the airline was in the process of renewing its fleet, with an aim to have a 70 strong fleet of the new Boeing aircraft by 2014: “We have been working with AWAS for several years and they were an obvious choice for us for this deal,” he says.
AWAS president and CEO is equally delighted with the deal, specifically as this will be the first of the Boeing Sky Interior 737-800s to enter the market: “As the first lessor to offer this option, we have been delighted with the response of our customers, to date all of our placed pipeline 737-800s have selected the new Sky Interior,” said Ray Sisson. “Norwegian’s decision to opt for the Sky Interior reflects their dedication to achieving the highest quality customer experience and we are delighted to support them in the realisation of this goal.”