Aircastle Limited has closed a new $400 million unsecured term loan to finance aircraft acquisitions, extending its access to balance-sheet capital without pledging aircraft collateral. The five-year facility, announced in Stamford, Connecticut, includes $240 million from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and $160 million from MUFG Bank and Mizuho Bank, supported by seven additional lenders.
The financing gives the aircraft lessor extra flexibility as it looks to expand its portfolio in a volatile market. Aircastle, which acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft globally, framed the facility as part of its broader funding strategy alongside its ownership links to Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Leasing Co., Ltd.
Chief financial officer Roy Chandran highlighted diversified access to capital as a key support for efficient aircraft acquisitions during the company’s expansion. The structure of the transaction leaves the loan unsecured and preserves aircraft assets for future financing and portfolio management decisions.
The deal also underlines continued lender appetite for aviation leasing exposure, particularly where lessors have established sponsor support and repeat access to Japanese capital markets. No aircraft types, customer targets or specific acquisition pipeline were disclosed.