02 November 2023 | Stratos, the only independent aircraft asset manager holding a Select Servicer qualification from Standard & Poors, has continued its successful placement of various aircraft for third parties. The company recently arranged the sale of an ex-Philippine Airlines 777-300ER MSN61733 which was delivered to a leading Middle Eastern VIP operator. The six-year-old aircraft was sold on behalf of a syndicate of mainly European lenders led by NordLB who retained Stratos to repossess and remarket the aircraft. The buyer plans to convert the cabin into a VIP configuration for deployment in its home market. “We are delighted to have successfully disposed of this aircraft and are incredibly appreciative of Stratos’ expert support to have placed and managed the complex recovery and delivery process” said Frank Wulf, Global Head of Aviation, NordLB.

Separately Stratos has arranged the long-term lease placement of an ex-Virgin Australia A330-200 MSN1293 with a leading European flag carrier on behalf of the owners, Global Knafaim Leasing. The aircraft had been stored since the collapse of Virgin Australia and was delivered in the past two weeks following a year-long remarketing campaign. 

The third widebody delivered was a 777-300ER MSN37896 to a major carrier in the Middle East in a lease transition from Cathay Pacific. The aircraft was the second of two sisterships to be remarketed following their respective lease expiries.

In total, since COVID19, Stratos has leased or sold 31 aircraft including 9 which are third-party remarketed aircraft – i.e. not part of its existing managed fleet. The recent remarketing tally includes 14 widebodies (777s and A330s), bringing its total aircraft deal count above the 200 mark – 59 aircraft sourced, 58 remarketed and 83 financed since the company’s inception 10 years ago.