Guzman Acain Attorney Presents Fleet Financing Tenders at Airline Economics Growth Frontiers, Dubai
Alex Acain, then General Counsel for Kuwait National Airways (Wataniya Airways), pitches lease and purchase tenders that would culminate in a $2.7 billion Airbus order the following year
On October 2, 2017, Guzman Acain LLP attorney Alexander Acain, then serving as General Counsel for Kuwait National Airways (Wataniya Airways), attended the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, held October 2–4. The event connects airlines seeking financing and leasing solutions with lessors, manufacturers, and financiers.
At the conference, Acain presented two tender documents to the plenary hall for consideration by aircraft lessors and manufacturers:
- A lease tender for long-term operating leases of five new Airbus A321neo and A320neo aircraft
- A purchase tender for the future acquisition of 20 new narrow-body aircraft
Together, the two tenders outlined Kuwait National Airways’ strategic plan for a 25-aircraft fleet expansion and its search for optimal financing structures.
What came of it: Less than a year later, at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, Wataniya Airways signed a firm order for 25 Airbus A320neo aircraft valued at approximately $2.7 billion — the same fleet size proposed in Dubai. Read more in Guzman Acain Attorney Secures Multi-Billion Dollar Airbus Deal at Farnborough Airshow.
Guzman Acain LLP’s Aviation Law practice, led by Acain, advises on aircraft purchase and lease negotiations, financing structures, and related regulatory matters. Contact our team to discuss an aviation transaction.