Arab News
Arab News, Wed, Mar 19, 2025 | Ramadan 19, 1446
PIF-backed AviLease delivers three A320neo aircraft to SDH Wings
Saudi Arabia:
AviLease, an aircraft leasing firm owned by
the Public Investment Fund, has delivered three Airbus A320neo aircraft to SDH
Wings.
SDH Wings is a joint venture between the
Saudi firm and the Chinese sovereign fund, where the Kingdom holds a 10 percent
stake.
According to a press release, the three new
aircraft will be leased long-term to a Saudi-based airline. With this latest
addition, SDH Wings now owns a total of 25 aircraft.
Launched in 2022 by PIF, AviLease was created to
harness the potential of promising sectors within Saudi Arabia, aiming to drive
economic diversification and contribute to the growth of the non-oil GDP.
“This delivery represents a significant milestone
in our relationship with SDH Wings. We are proud to support their expansion with
these state-of-the-art aircraft,” said AviLease CEO Edward O’Byrne.
This delivery also signals a new phase in the
collaboration between AviLease and SDH Wings, following a broader memorandum of
understanding to acquire 20 additional, predominantly next-generation aircraft.
Under this agreement, AviLease will further assist
SDH Wings in expanding its fleet while strengthening its partnership with
Sichuan Development International Holdings, the majority shareholder of SDH
Wings.
“By leveraging AviLease’s expertise in leasing and
financing modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, SDH Wings is well-positioned to
capitalize on emerging opportunities in the aviation financing market,” said the
press release.
In October 2024, AviLease acquired nine aircraft
from global lessor Avolon, building on the successful purchase of 13 aircraft
from Avolon in 2023.