$37million aircraft financing signed by Silverjet
Start-up low fare, all business class long haul airline Silverjet has signed up for $37 million of aircraft financing.
The funding will be used to secure and refurbish two Boeing 767-200s from Thomsonfly for delivery by March 31 and October 31, 2007.
Negotiations to bring in a third Boeing 767–200, which Silverjet intends to use to launch operations between Luton and Newark (New York) in December, are at an “advanced stage”.
The financing arrangement has been made with aircraft management services company Novus Aviation to sell and lease back and to fund the refurbishment and fit out the first two aircraft, including Sicma flat beds.
Novus specialises in co-investing and setting-up investment funds to acquire aircraft on lease to commercial airlines. The company manages or co-manages 19 aircraft, with a combined value of more than $1 billion, which are on lease to airlines in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Silverjet chief executive Lawrence Hunt said: “The financing of the first two Boeing 767 acquisitions marks a further important step in the launch of Silverjet.
“With negotiations to secure the launch aircraft highly advanced, we look forward to offering our customers an award winning flat bed, an industry beating 30 minute check in, an average fare of £999 and a premium in-flight service.”
Report by Phil Davies
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