AerCap CEO sees no looming glut in aircraft production

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(Reuters) – The head of the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, AerCap Holdings NV (AER.N), said there was no sign of a looming glut of jetliners that could trigger a cyclical downturn in the sector.

AerCap is seeing consistent demand for the latest, fuel-saving jets and older workhorse planes, Aengus Kelly, chief executive officer, said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

“That’s an indication that the market remains strong,” he said.

AerCap plans to make initial purchases of Boeing’s 737 MAX, but won’t necessarily buy them from Boeing unless the price is right, Kelly said.

“I’m sure we will buy MAX airplanes,” he said. AerCap could buy the fuel-saving single-aisle planes from airlines in a sale-leaseback or through an acquisition, he said.

“Boeing knows that we’re a buyer of the airplane, but we have to agree terms. In the meantime we’ll pick up MAXs elsewhere.”

Concern about a glut of airliners has hung over aerospace investors for more than a year as Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus Group NV (AIR.PA) boost output to fill large order backlogs. In the last six months, low oil prices have raised concern that airlines will hold off buying new aircraft.

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