GL: Has Covid and finance defaults made it harder for sub-Saharan African airlines to finance aircraft?
JG: The Covid pandemic and associated fear has certainly damaged the industry on a global scale and we have seen many airlines failing, especially in jurisdictions where no support from government was received by the industry. The demise of so many airlines in a short period has negatively impacted on the risk rating of airlines in general which results in the reduced credit worthiness of airlines. But this is not unique to the African continent.
GL: Does African aircraft finance have its own unique challenges – if so, what are they?
JG: No, African aircraft finance does not have unique challenges. Challenges which we see on the African continent are the same the world over: Sovereign risk, low capitalisation, continuity in management and shareholder support.
GL: What percentage of an airline’s fleet do you think should be leased?
The accepted norm has been 50% for a number of years and it works well. In the current markets it might be attractive to lease more aircraft as there are very attractive lease opportunities available due to many aircraft having been returned to lessors as a result of the difficult market conditions caused by Covid. It might be worthwhile to lease more than 50% of your fleet in the short term, however airlines should be careful not to lose the benefits of owning some aircraft and having a substantive balance sheet.
GL: Do lenders prefer state-owned airlines to private ones?
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av SA Flyer Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av SA Flyer Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT
The ambitious plans to 'save' Plettenberg Bay Airport from the neglect of its local city council are fast unravelling.
NEW SEARCH FOR MH370
Ten years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, the Malaysian government has approved yet another search for the missing aircraft.
SACAA WINS TOP EMPLOYER AWARD
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has been recognised as a Top Employer for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 26 SPINNING
I have been doing some long-range mentoring of a new instructor. I called her the other night to find out how she was getting on with her patter and preparation for the flight test.
SOUTH AFRICA STILL CONSIDERING C-390
Defenceweb reports that South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation given a tour of Embraer's facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
SUPERMARINE Mk.26 - Spitfire
Due to the huge value and the irreplaceable nature of a real Spitfire, very few select pilots will ever get the opportunity to pilot a real Spitfire.
INTRODUCING BIG WATER AERO
The Gariep Dam Airport has changed hands. The new owners are rsa.Aero Winelands Airport.
SLING REPORTS BEST EVER YEAR
Sling Aircraft says 2024 has been its best year ever, with more planes sold and delivered than ever before.
PIAGGIO SOLD TO TURKISH UAV BUILDER
Baykar, a Turkish company specializing in unmanned aircraft, has received approval from the Italian Ministry of Enterprises to acquire Piaggio Aerospace, manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti turboprop.
DECEMBER 2024
This month's column closes off 2024. The year has flown by quickly and by the time you are reading this column you will already be well through the first month of the New Year!
