GMT Global Acquires Additional Airbus A330-300
First acquisition since launch as separate operating entity
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Dublin, March 4, 2008—GMT Global Republic Aviation (GMT Global) has acquired a
1996 Airbus A330-300 aircraft from BCI Aircraft Leasing. The aircraft is currently
leased for five years to LTU, which is a part of the Air Berlin Group.
This latest acquisition increases GMT Global’s fleet to 16 wide-body aircraft and
confirms its presence in the international aviation-leasing sector. This is the first of the
company’s fleet to be leased to a German operator.
The two-engine wide-body Airbus A330-300 has been in production with Airbus for 17
years; there are 229 A330-300s in service with 29 operators. The aircraft is a key asset
for LTU and Air Berlin, as its size and flexibility make the aircraft highly versatile for
both long- and medium-haul routes.
“We are extremely pleased to count LTU as one of our clients and to have a presence in
Germany,” said Paul Mason, Chief Executive Officer of GMT Global. “We now have
four A330-300s in our fleet, and this acquisition reflects our strategy of buying planes
that are very much in demand. It also demonstrates that whatever the situation in the
global financial and credit markets, we can identify and execute opportunities to increase
the fleet.”
“LTU and Air Berlin welcome GMT Global as our new key lessor,” said Dr. Klaus
Weirich, Chief Financial Officer, Air Berlin. “We consider GMT Global as a strong
partner to further grow our fleet of long-haul aircraft.”
GMT Global’s growth strategy is to expand its business by acquiring and managing
aircraft in the rapidly growing international aviation market. There are approximately
20,000 commercial aircraft currently in service. This is expected to rise significantly in
the coming years. GMT Global plans to leverage its unique industry expertise and key
market relationships to expand its fleet at all stages of the aviation economic cycle.
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About GMT Global Republic Aviation
GMT Global Republic Aviation is an international strategic aviation company. The
Dublin-based firm acquires and manages commercial aircraft with attached leases. GMT
Global is managed by a team of senior executives and staff with world-class experience
in manufacturing, commercial-passenger, and air-cargo carriers. For more information,
please visit www.gmt-aviation.com.
About LTU
LTU is a division of Air Berlin AG and offers frequent scheduled flights on its
international network. Destinations are located in the Mediterranean Basin, the Americas,
East Africa, South Africa and the Far East.