APOC Aviation closes its fifth deal in 2020 and acquires another A320 for teardown
APOC Aviation announced on 11 August that it had purchased another A320 family airframe for teardown. Built in 2000, the aircraft was last operated in Europe and it is the fifth narrowbody acquisition that APOC has successfully closed this year. Funding for the purchase was swiftly secured through private placement. It is anticipated that the first serviceable parts, including landing gear but not engines, will be parted out from the teardown facility in Spain in the fourth quarter of the year.
Jasper van den Boogaard, VP Airframe Acquisition & Trading at APOC Aviation, says the Company is confident it can continue to secure investment for the right assets. “APOC Aviation was quick to seize this opportunity and we had secure financing in place to close the deal. Even in these difficult times, I am pleased to say that, despite the constraints of COVID-19, APOC is able to source and finalize deals for our target aircraft. If something is for sale we’ll look at it but I must emphasize that we are focused on the youngest assets at a price we can afford.”
Inevitably there will be a decline in the market value of older narrowbody parts – so the A320 and B737 family aircraft APOC Aviation seeks are those equipped with the latest modifications. “As airlines worldwide slowly rebuild their operations, narrowbodies and regional jets will be the first to fly again” continues Van den Boogaard. “Our proactive teardown programme is designed to increase our stock of high-quality commercial parts, not just replenish. We will support our customers through the sale of parts but also exchange, loan and consignment – whatever is best for them.”
Over the next few months, APOC has further airframe acquisitions in the pipeline and Van den Boogaard, who is an ISTAT Certified Appraiser, is observing the fluctuations in aircraft asset valuations closely. “In today’s environment there will be more aircraft, LDGs and engines for sale, even though many are currently parked or stored in the hope that prices will rise again. But few investors are buying right now. No-one wants to make a bad deal so I cannot see the volume of deals increasing quickly. Pre-COVID there would frequently be 30 or 40 offers on the table, now it is just a handful and not all of those can access the necessary liquidity to complete transactions smoothly.”
Once teardown of the A320 is completed, parts will be shipped to the Company’s closely audited group of repair stations worldwide whereupon components will be returned to serviceable status before transition to APOC’s Rotterdam warehouse facility.