23 March 2016, Dubai
Marking the start of the Dubai Corporate Jet and Helicopter Investor Conference tomorrow, new research1 from Global Jet Capital, a provider of financing solutions for large-cabin, long-range private jets, reveals that 56 mid to heavy/large private jets were delivered to the Middle East in 2014 and 2015, with a combined value of over $2.8 billion.
Global Jet Capital says these aircraft typically cost between $25 million and $75 million each, and up to 80% of the funding used to purchase these is sourced through external financing. Simon Davies, the company’s VP Sales, Middle East, Africa and India, will be speaking at the conference on the availability of finance for jet acquisitions in the region.
The largest number of deliveries were to Turkey (13), followed by Saudi Arabia (12) and the UAE (10).
Deliveries, 2014-2015
| Country | Midsize | Heavy jet | Jet airliner | All deliveries |
| Turkey | 2 | 10 | 1 | 13 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 9 | 2 | 12 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 7 | 2 | 10 |
| Qatar | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Kuwait | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Rest of Middle East | 1 | 13 | 0 | 14 |
| All Middle East | 5 | 45 | 6 | 56 |
The aviation finance specialist, which recently completed the purchase of the aircraft lease and loan portfolio of GE Capital Corporate Aircraft in the Americas representing approximately $2.5 billion of net assets, has around $1 billion to lend to clients to purchase relevant business aircraft in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.
Simon Davies, VP Sales, Middle East, Africa and India at Global Jet Capital, said: “The Middle East is a very exciting market for us. Over the long-term, we expect it to enjoy strong growth fueled by an expanding and more diversified economy, and an increasing population of people who typically use business aviation.
“We are a financially strong organization with a vast amount of experience and expertise, and we are well positioned to provide finance into this sector.”
Global Jet Capital, which was launched in 2014, is capitalized by three global investment firms – GSO Capital Partners, a Blackstone company in partnership with Franklin Square Capital Partners*; The Carlyle Group; and AE Industrial Partners.
The company’s current management team and executive committee is composed of leaders from business jet manufacturers, maintenance and service providers and leading financial institutions who have served the private aircraft industry for a combined 200-plus years and have completed over 3,500 aircraft transactions.
Notes to editors
1Global Jet Capital analysis of JetNet data, March 2016
* Investment to be made by funds sub-advised or advised by GSO Capital Partners and Franklin Square Capital Partners or their respective affiliates, as applicable.