Rotterdam, April 21st 2020: APOC Aviation has purchased an A319-111 from SMBC Aviation Capital for tear-down. MSN 3380 was previously operated by Spanish flag-carrier, Iberia, and it is the fourth A320 family plane acquired this year. Two are already being parted out in Marana, Arizona, and this particular aircraft is already located at eCube in Wales, awaiting the easing of COVID-19 restrictions before work can begin.
Jasper van den Boogaard, VP Airframe Acquisition & Trading at APOC Aviation, says the Company is focused on securing the right assets. “We’re keen to build our stock of high-quality commercial parts for A320 family aircraft. This is a relatively young aircraft, manufactured in 2008, and we were able to secure the airframe at the right price. Our airline customers will be first in line for this excellent serviceable material.”
Headquartered in Dublin, SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies and owned by a consortium of leading Japanese institutions. Craig Kilmurray, SVP Aircraft Trading - SMBC, commented, “We are very pleased to have concluded our first deal with APOC Aviation and we look forward to further developing this relationship in the years to come.”
Van den Boogaard is an ISTAT Certified Appraiser and similarly to many peers in the industry, he is closely watching the rapidly changing market. “Even in today’s environment, APOC Aviation is able to close transactions. We are constantly looking for the right assets whether they be engines, LDGs or airframes. On the buying side, we are slowly seeing more attractive deals emerge and although some sellers are trying to abide by the high prices we saw just before COVID-19, prices are beginning to ease. In the longer-term the demand for aircraft parts will return. Sourcing the right parts now means we can supply a broad spectrum of commercial and regional airline customers immediately when flying re-commences.”
“Even in today’s environment the right deals are around but demand for parts is low at the moment. This latest acquisition is a relatively young aircraft and the parts will support the in-service fleet for a long time to come. More aircraft are available for sale, but few investors are buying. There will be a desire to get aircraft back in the air as quickly as possible and the industry will need all the parts necessary to make them in a flyable condition again. Before COVID-19 aircraft were in high demand to service airlines’ expanding route networks and a general shortage of parts is one of the reasons why we saw inflated values for suitable aircraft to part-out.”
Over the next few months, the secured A319 parts will be assessed, and then APOC’s audited group of repair stations worldwide will return the stock to serviceable status. All stock will be located at their Rotterdam warehouse forming part of the Company’s rapidly expanding inventory of spares for sale and lease.