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Press Release
Issued by VistaJet.
July 16, 2012
ICBC Leasing, the leasing and asset finance arm of the world's largest bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and VistaJet, the world's leading luxury aviation company outside of the Americas announce that they have signed a $210 million Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft financing.
The deal is the first from a Chinese financial institution in the international business aviation sector. ICBC Leasing is expanding its footprint globally and placed an order for 10 Legacy 650 aircraft earlier this year. The company emphasises cooperation with top aircraft operators not only in the commercial aviation sector but also in business aviation. In 2011, ICBC Leasing entered into MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] with Bombardier to provide funding support to the buyers of Bombardier aircraft and rail products.
ICBC Leasing funds the deal with a facility line from Export Development Canada. It is the first time a Chinese financial institution has obtained funding support according to the ASU [Aircraft Sector Understanding].
The deal will see VistaJet fast-track the expansion of its fleet following greater than expected demand, especially from certain BRINC countries and other fast-growth markets. Expansion will be through potential new orders as well as through expediting the delivery of Bombardier aircraft from its current $2 billion order backlog.
Mr. Cong Lin, CEO of ICBC Leasing commented: "We are committed to develop our corporate jet business globally with our partners, such as VistaJet, Bombardier and EDC. This deal marks milestone in the history of the Chinese leasing industry."
He added that "VistaJet is an exceptional partner of ICBC Leasing. ICBC bank has a strong private banking sector and we are exploring more business opportunities with VistaJet"
Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of VistaJet, commented: "We are delighted to have partnered with ICBC Leasing, China's leading financial institution and a major player in the business aviation space, as we look to fast-track the expansion of our fleet.
"We recently announced historic agreements with partners in China and Russia that will see VistaJet significantly increase its presence in these countries. In just a few months since the announcements, we have seen extraordinary levels of demand and we've concluded that, along with the growth we are seeing in other markets, we must bring forward our plans for fleet expansion."