Falko has released a summary of its Q4 and full-year 2024 portfolio activity, highlighting robust performance and increased transaction volumes.
In Q4 2024, Falko expanded its portfolio by adding nine aircraft through the completion of the E-Jet portfolio acquisition from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). Concurrently, the company sold 12 aircraft and two CF34 engines, including three E175s, one CRJ900, seven Q400s and one ATR72. The buyers comprised airlines, lessors and OEMs, with North America dominating transactional activity. Additionally, leases for 11 aircraft were extended by three customers. Overall, Falko finalised transactions involving 32 aircraft and two engines during the quarter.
For the entirety of 2024, Falko executed transactions related to 102 aircraft and eight engines. This included the acquisition of 24 aircraft with existing leases, the sale of 30 aircraft and seven engines, and new lease agreements or extensions for 48 aircraft and one engine. By the close of 2024, Falko's managed portfolio encompassed 215 aircraft leased to 38 customers worldwide.
Mark Hughes, Falko's Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the year's achievements: “Against an improving macro-economic backdrop compared to recent years, Falko saw another year of very strong activity levels, with total transactions involving over a hundred aircraft. A particular highlight was the portfolio acquisition from NAC which added Royal Air Maroc as a new customer and re-enforced our position as a leading lessor of small commercial jet aircraft”.
He added: “In 2024, we saw considerable demand from our airline customers for lease extensions and new leases as airline requirements for aircraft capacity continued to outstrip supply largely driven by lower new aircraft deliveries than anticipated. This is reflected in the 48 aircraft lease extensions that Falko closed during the year as our customers sought to retain aircraft. 2024 also saw increased sales activity having concluded 30 aircraft and seven engine sales to a mixture of airlines, lessors and parts companies.”
Hughes continued, “For 2025, our expectation is that the current imbalance between aircraft demand and supply will continue, maintaining the requirement for airlines to extend a large proportion of maturing leases.”