Qatar Airways Group has signed its first Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) transaction, covering three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, marking its entry into Japan’s aircraft financing market.
HSBC acted as debt arranger and sole lender, while JP Lease
Products & Services Co., Ltd. (JLPS) underwrote and arranged the JOLCO
equity.
The transaction is the first of three planned under Qatar
Airways Group’s inaugural Japanese JOLCO programme, which will support a total
of seven aircraft. JLPS will serve as equity arranger across the programme.
The agreement strengthens the airline group’s financial
partnerships in Asia and diversifies its sources of international capital,
reflecting investor confidence in its financial standing and credit profile.
Hamad Al-Khater, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive
Officer, said: “We view the JOLCO market as a strategic long-term funding
source and expect to maintain a consistent presence as we finance future fleet
investments and growth opportunities.
“This transaction provides Qatar Airways with an important
foothold in the Japanese financing market, offering access to a deep pool of
capital on extremely attractive financial terms. It further diversifies our
funding sources, broadens our investor base, and positions the Group to support
its future aircraft financing requirements efficiently and competitively.”
Teiji Ishikawa, JP Lease Products & Services President
and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Japanese investors look first at the credit
of the airline. Qatar Airways is a strong credit, and investors in Japan
welcome this transaction. We are very pleased to have arranged the equity for
the airline's first JOLCO. We do not see this as a single transaction. It is
the start of a long-term programme, and we will continue to support Qatar
Airways in the Japanese market for many years to come.”
Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, HSBC Qatar Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Building on HSBC’s longstanding strategic partnership with Qatar Airways
Group, HSBC is pleased to support Qatar Airways Group’s inaugural JOLCO. Our
role as debt arranger and sole lender in this transaction demonstrates our
sector expertise and ability to deliver tailored solutions that support fleet
expansion, diversify funding sources, and connect leading airlines with global
capital. -TradeArabia News Service