Chorus Aviation Inc. ('Chorus') (TSX: CHR) announced today that Chorus Aviation Capital's subsidiaries have completed the acquisition of six ATR 72-600 aircraft with attached leases from Avation PLC (LSE: AVAP). The acquisition agreements were previously announced on April 24, 2017.
The acquired aircraft are between one and four years old. Three are currently on lease to U.K. carrier, Flybe, and three are currently on lease to Virgin Australia Airlines.
Commenting on the purchase, Chorus Aviation Capital's President, Steven Ridolfi, said, "We are delighted to welcome Flybe and Virgin Australia as customers, and pleased to induct the first ATRs to our increasingly diverse fleet of regional aircraft."
Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus, said, "The addition of ATRs to our leased fleet adds a further element of diversification to our business. Through Chorus Aviation Capital, we are not only diversifying our customer base and geographic footprint, but also the aircraft types we can offer the market as we pursue our vision of delivering regional aviation to the world."
The acquisition was completed using a combination of equity capital from Chorus and term debt financing consistent with previously indicated leverage ratios for the Chorus Aviation Capital business. The aggregate purchase price for the aircraft is consistent with current market values for similar aircraft.