Aircraft

Bombardier's newly launched CSeries regional jet may feature in Lease Corporation International's portfolio as the Dublin-based lessor moves to rebuild its fleet after selling 21 of its then 22 aircraft in late 2007.

Chief executive Crispin Maunder told Flight that regional/small jets may feature in a balanced portfolio for LCI, which is "certainly interested" in the CSeries and other 100- to 130-seat aircraft such as Embraer 190/195s. Smaller jets and turboprops are not under consideration, he says.

LCI has two Boeing 737NGs (on lease to SAS and Gol) and one 747-400F (with Singapore Airlines Cargo), one Airbus A320 (with Asiana) and one A330-200 (with Thomas Cook). Orders are held for six A330-300s for delivery in 2009 and 2010, which have leases in place with SIA.

Maunder says the late-2007 disposals, including the sale of 20 aircraft to Global Aviation Asset Management, were made in response to a good offer coming in rather than any intention to divest the fleet. He describes LCI as an "opportunistic acquirer" and would, as it did with the six A330s it is buying for lease to SIA, place further orders with Boeing or Airbus if lessors were lined up.