Low-cost airline EasyJet said it strengthened its finances by $255m through the sale and leaseback of six A320neo aircraft with Dublin-based leasing firm SMBC Aviation Capital.
EasyJet this week raised £419m through an equity raise to help boost its liquidity to £3 billion as part of its efforts to try to survive the travel slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The funds raised through the sale and leaseback announced today make up part of the anticipated £500-650m that EasyJet said in May it could raise from aircraft sales.
SMBC Aviation will be EasyJet's preferred partner if it decides to sell other aircraft in the next 18 months.
The aircraft involved in today's deal have been leased back for terms of between 110 and 122 months.
