Avolon completes $420 million inaugural Samurai loan facility

Avolon, an Ireland-based aircraft lessor, has completed its inaugural Samurai loan facility, raising $420 million (€363 million) in unsecured financing from a consortium of Japanese and international banks.

The dual-tranche five-year facility comprises approximately $346 million (€299 million) and ¥11.7 billion (approximately €64 million), representing the largest and longest tenor debut Samurai issuance of a European issuer.

The transaction also represents Avolon's first non-USD borrowing. A Samurai loan facility is a cross-border syndicated loan structured and distributed in the Japanese loan market.

The financing attracted strong demand, with the 12-bank syndicate including nine new banking partners. All participating lenders are Japanese banks or international banks with Tokyo branches, underscoring the unique access provided by the Samurai loan structure and enabling further diversification of Avolon's sources of capital. The transaction was arranged by MUFG, SMTB, and DBJ acting as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, with MUFG serving as agent for the facility.

Avolon has successfully raised $1.9 billion (€1.6 billion) in new unsecured facilities in Q1 to date, including the Samurai Facility and $1.5 billion (€1.3 billion) of senior unsecured notes announced on 18 February 2026.

Ross O'Connor, Chief Financial Officer at Avolon, stated: "This inaugural Samurai Facility further diversifies our capital base and expands our global banking relationships through the addition of new institutional lenders. This transaction further demonstrates the strong global appetite for unsecured lending to aviation leasing companies and reflects confidence in Avolon's performance and growth outlook."

Working with 139 airlines in 61 countries, Avolon has an owned, managed, and committed fleet of 1,132 aircraft as of 31 December 2025.

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