Natixis Investment Managers, one of the world’s largest asset management firms and the asset management arm of French bank Group BPCE, has acquired a minority stake in specialist aircraft lease and asset management firm Airborne Capital. The stake was acquired for an undisclosed sum from the existing shareholders, comprising Airborne’s founding management team and FEXCO, Ireland’s largest privately owned financial services company.

The deal provides Airborne with access to a worldwide asset management platform which will help to accelerate its plans to grow the business to have aircraft assets under management of over $5bn within the first 5 years of operations. The transaction enables Natixis Investment Managers to continue to expand its expertise in alternative investments, specifically real assets.

Airborne was launched in November 2017 by a management team with over 100 years of combined experience in aviation finance, including with Natixis, one of the leading banks in aviation financing, where Ramki Sundaram, CEO of Airborne Capital, was previously Global Head of Aviation.

The company’s strategy is to assist capital providers looking to invest in an emerging asset class in an environment where the aviation industry is set for rapid growth in fleet size, and traditional sources of bank finance are reducing. Airborne invests in aircraft as an asset class across a number of investment strategies with the aim to generate stable, long-term, non-correlated returns.

The asset class is mobile and global by nature, and the two primary investment themes feature either the pursuit of stable long-term returns with high yield underpinned by contracted cashflows or the pursuit of a higher return strategy based on opportunistic investments driven by market dislocations.

Commenting on the transaction, Ramki Sundaram, CEO of Airborne Capital said: “We are delighted to welcome Natixis Investment Managers as a shareholder in Airborne Capital. It is a strong sign of confidence in our strategy to gain the support of a top international asset manager and will help accelerate our growth plans. We see opportunities to work closely with them on structuring future deals.”

Jean Raby, CEO of Natixis Investment Managers, said: “Airborne Capital combines an experienced management team, a strong track record and a unique model to investing in real assets in the fast growing commercial aviation sector. We look forward to partnering with Airborne as they continue their ambitious growth. As demand for alternative and real asset classes grows, we will continue to invest in the ability to bring our clients the best solutions available.”
About Airborne Capital
Airborne Capital is a specialist aircraft lease and asset manager with access to deep pools of capital. Airborne Capital will act as a bridge between investors seeking bespoke investment solutions in the aviation space, and issuers requiring aviation financing via differentiated capital solutions. Airborne Capital is headquartered in Ireland, and initially will have offices in Dublin and London. www.airbornecapital.aero

About FEXCO
FEXCO is Ireland’s most successful multinational payments, financial and business solutions provider, with operations in 29 countries worldwide. Founded and headquartered in Ireland in 1981, FEXCO employs more than 2,300 people across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.

FEXCO serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. FEXCO also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business.

For 37 years FEXCO has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers. To find out more visit www.fexco.com.

Natixis Investment Managers
RCS Paris 453 952 681
Share Capital: €178 251 690
21 quai d’Austerlitz, 75013 Paris
www.im.natixis.com

Natixis
Limited liability company
Capital € 5 019 776 380,80
RCS Paris n°542 044 524
Regulated in France by the ACPR - Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution
30, avenue Pierre Mendès-France
75013 Paris
www.natixis.com

This communication is for information only and is intended for investment service providers or other Professional Clients. The analyses and opinions referenced herein represent the subjective views of the author as referenced unless stated otherwise and are subject to change. There can be no assurance that developments will transpire as may be forecasted in this material.