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Investing.com -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed Air Lease Corporation’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at ’BBB’ but revised its outlook to negative from stable following the announcement of the company’s acquisition.
The rating action comes after Air Lease’s recently announced $7.4 billion take-private deal by four investors led by Sumitomo Corporation. Following the transaction’s expected closing in the first half of 2026, Air Lease will be rebranded as Sumisho Air Lease Corporation (SAL).
As part of the deal, SMBC Aviation Capital will acquire Air Lease’s existing orderbook and become the primary servicer for most of Air Lease’s aircraft portfolio.
The negative outlook reflects uncertainty around the firm’s long-term business profile and franchise strength after the acquisition and rebranding. Fitch noted that the sale of the orderbook to SMBC Aviation Capital increases uncertainty regarding the company’s future business strength.
Fitch may downgrade the rating by one notch over the next 18-24 months after the transaction closes if the firm fails to maintain a leading global franchise, demonstrate effectiveness of its operating strategy, or sustain appropriate leverage levels.
The ratings continue to reflect Air Lease’s highly liquid portfolio, strong asset quality performance, predominantly unsecured funding profile, and significant unencumbered assets. After the transaction, the ratings will still benefit from the firm’s scale, established position as a leading global aircraft lessor, and anticipated advantages from its affiliation with Sumitomo and SMBC Aviation Capital.
Fitch expects the transaction to provide benefits to Air Lease’s net spreads through more attractive funding costs from related parties, though pre-tax profit will be constrained by servicing and asset trading fees payable to SMBC Aviation Capital.
The agency anticipates leverage to increase modestly post-close due to new acquisition debt financing, but expects it to remain relatively consistent with current levels over the medium term.
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