BOC Aviation Limited (“BOC Aviation” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce its audited financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2019.

Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “BOC Aviation reported another record result in 2019, with a profit before tax of US$775 million and a net profit after tax of US$702 million, both increasing by 13% year-on-year. We also delivered a return on equity of 16.0%, exceeding our average return on equity of 15.1% since 2007. The Board has recommended a final dividend of US$0.2153 per share, bringing the total dividend for 2019 to US$0.3541 per share, which is a 13% increase from 2018, in line with the growth in our net profit after tax.

In January 2020 we announced an order for 20 Airbus A320NEO aircraft – starting the year strongly, and in March 2020 we committed to acquire 22 new Boeing 787-8 aircraft for lease to American Airlines, making this the largest lease commitment in our history. As at 11 March 2020, we had a total fleet of 561 aircraft comprising 316 owned, 40 managed and 205 aircraft on order.  

We achieved a strong result in 2019, ending the year with a solid balance sheet and as of today, we have more than US$5 billion in available liquidity, positioning the Company well to meet new challenges and pursue new opportunities in 2020.”

Financial Highlights

Our financial highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019 are:

• Total revenues and other income rose 15% year-on-year, to US$1,976 million
• Profit before tax was US$775 million and net profit after tax was US$702 million, each an increase of 13% over 2018
• Earnings per share of US$1.01 and net assets per share of US$6.60
• Total assets increased 8% year-on-year, to US$19.8 billion at 31 December 2019
• Board recommended a final dividend for 2019 of US$0.2153 per share, pending approval at the AGM to be held on 27 May 2020. The final dividend will be payable to shareholders registered at the close of business on the record date, being 4 June 2020, bringing the total dividend for the financial year 2019 to US$0.3541¹ per share, an increase of 13% year-on-year

Portfolio and Operational Highlights

As at 31 December 2019, BOC Aviation:

• Had a total fleet of 523 aircraft owned, managed and on order², with an average aircraft age of 3.1 years and an average remaining lease term of 8.4 years for the 317 owned aircraft fleet, weighted by net book value
• Leased aircraft to 93 airlines in 41 countries and regions
• Had taken delivery of 54 aircraft, including 12 acquired by airline customers on delivery, in 2019
• Signed 87 lease commitments in 2019
• Sold 28 owned and two managed aircraft in 2019