• Aircraft leased to Adria Airways based in Slovenia

 

Adria Airways (Adria) of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Falko Regional Aircraft Limited (Falko), and Bombardier Aerospace today announced that Falko has added a Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to its portfolio and that the aircraft has been leased to Adria. This acquisition by Falko, a global lessor focused on the regional aircraft sector, resulted from a sale and leaseback agreement with Adria and follows an earlier purchase agreement between Bombardier and Adria for two CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Falko and Adria have agreed to finance the second CRJ900 NextGen aircraft under a similar sale and leaseback arrangement.

The addition of the first CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to Falko’s portfolio follows the company’s acquisition of a CRJ900 aircraft a few months ago.

“Our Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets are providing excellent cost efficiency, network flexibility and have been very well received by our passengers,” said Mark Anžur, Chief Executive Officer, Adria Airways. “We are very pleased that we have been able to organize the addition of two more CRJ900 NextGen aircraft from Bombardier via sale and leaseback agreements with Falko.”

“The addition of the CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is the latest in a series of acquisitions since Falko’s creation in 2011 and represents a further step in the development of the business as the world’s leading independent lessor of regional jets,” said Mark Hughes, Executive Vice President – Corporate Finance, Falko Regional Aircraft Limited. “The purchase is a key development for Falko, being the first new aircraft with delivery taken directly from the manufacturer and further strengthens Falko’s commitment to pursuing targeted regional sector investments.  Falko is now in a period of growth and expansion with a strong pipeline of acquisitions.”

“We congratulate Falko on the acquisition of its first CRJ900 NextGen aircraft,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft’s significant market potential and outstanding value retention, as well as the broad base of CRJ aircraft operators around the world, make the aircraft very attractive to lessors like Falko.

“By adding more CRJ900 NextGen regional jets to its fleet, Adria Airways is confirming that the aircraft are successfully replacing larger aircraft and providing optimum capacity for the airline’s operations,” added Mr. Jones. “Bombardier is delighted that the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft are proving to be efficient and economical assets that are contributing to Adria’s success.”

In total, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1,814 CRJ Series aircraft, including 341 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and more than 30 customers operate corporate variants of the aircraft. The aircraft are operating in over 50 countries on six continents, and on average, a CRJ aircraft takes off every 10 seconds somewhere in the world. CRJ Series aircraft have transported more than 1.4 billion passengers and have logged more than 38 million flight hours and over 32 million takeoffs and landings.

About Adria Airways
The Slovenian airline Adria Airways has a wealth of experience spanning over 50 years in charter and scheduled air traffic. Today, the majority of Adria Airways business is in scheduled flights; its network links Ljubljana with 19 cities throughout Europe and offers excellent connections to South East Europe. Adria Airways offers more than 170 scheduled flights each week to Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Manchester, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Podgorica, Prague, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana, Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich.

With the start of the new summer timetable at the end of March, Adria Airways will fly on five new scheduled routes – from Ljubljana to Prague and Warsaw, from Munich to Lodz, from Tirana to Frankfurt and from Pristina to Malmo.

Adria Airways has been a  member of Star Alliance since 2004. In connection with its partners the airline offers access to a global network of flights on 25 airlines, which offer more than than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.

About Falko
Falko was formed in July 2011 when funds managed by Fortress Investment Group completed the purchase of BAE Systems Asset Management and its associated aircraft portfolio.

Falko has a clear growth strategy and intends to continue to expand the business and grow its portfolio of aircraft and services with particular focus on the regional aircraft market. With offices in Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia, Falko is well positioned to deliver a range of solutions across the globe.