Further cementing Dublin as the leasing capital of the planet the IDA has had another success in attracting China Construction Bank leasing International to Dublin. The lessor will eventually handle shipping and other leasing operations out of the new Dublin office.
CCB Leasing International has a portfolio of 17 aircraft in its portfolio, but the company is aiming at having a fleet of 200 within the decade – that means they will either have to go mad in the SLB market or they will have to buy an aircraft portfolio. Now although it is ICBC that has been looking at AWAS I would argue that this lessor should also have a look-in on that deal.
The Irish office will be responsible for all CCB Leasing International’s aircraft leasing business outside of China.
"Ireland is an ideal launch pad for European, African and American markets and we aim to expand into shipping and other leasing activities from our Irish base in the future," said Hongzhang Wang, chairman of China Construction Bank.
He added that international expansion of CCB’s aircraft leasing division is "integral to the development" of its transport portfolio and will help establish it as a "world leader in the leasing business".
The CCBLI and IDA Ireland have also signed an official memorandum of understanding. "The memorandum of understanding signifies our already strong relationship with the IDA and our commitment to Ireland," said Jingpu Gu, chairman of CCB Financial Leasing.
Deutsche Bank is jointly leading a US$500 million financing facility for the lessor.