Full-service aircraft leasing platform with global footprint
CDB Aviation delivers innovative aircraft fleet financing solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of airlines in all key markets of the world, offering them a competitive cost of funding and an unrivalled customer-oriented, full-service approach that is focused on execution and rooted in the culture of competency.
CDB Aviation’s fleet consists of 510 owned and committed aircraft, and its global customer network comprises 71 lessees across 38 countries and regions.
Because we are a customer-centric and relationship-driven organization, we understand an aircraft lease is not simply a single transaction of an airplane lease, rather an engagement and understanding, which recognize that airlines’ fleet needs are specific and constantly evolving.
A uniquely positioned lessor with financial strength
With the strength and robust capabilities of our global platform, our organization is ranked among top-tier, industry-leading global leasing companies. We are best positioned among Chinese lessors, offering competitive and diversified financing anchored in guaranteed availability of capital.
CDB Aviation Lease Finance Designated Activity Company (“CDB Aviation”) is investment grade rated by the major global credit rating agencies. S&P Global Ratings assigned its ‘A’ long-term issuer credit rating with outlook stable. Fitch Ratings assigned its long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘A+’ with outlook stable. Moody’s Investors Service assigned its ‘A2’ local currency and foreign currency issuer ratings with outlook stable.
CDB Aviation is a wholly-owned by China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., a 30-plus-year-old leasing company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX stock code: 1606). Our parent company is the dedicated leasing arm of China Development Bank and enjoys the Chinese quasi sovereign credit rating (A1 / A / A+), one of the highest international credit ratings among Chinese financial institutions and the highest rating among all aviation lessors.
Under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China, China Development Bank is China’s largest policy bank and one of the world’s largest institutions supporting domestic and foreign infrastructure projects. China Development Bank is one of three Chinese policy banks.
Focus on expanding market reach
As a world-class lessor with Chinese heritage, we are the first Chinese domestic leasing company to truly ‘go global,’ with our current footprint based in Hong Kong, Dublin, and the USA. With innovative financing solutions and access to robust orderbook for the most advanced and efficient aircraft, we are well positioned to support airlines in the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets.
Execution-driven culture of competency
We are powered by the industry’s next generation of aviation finance leaders, who are committed to doing business the ‘old-fashioned way,’ focusing on a long-term view of market participation, as well as building and cultivating strong relationships with aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and banking partners. The depth of the CDB Aviation team is anchored in seasoned leadership with bench strength and the continued build-out of a best-in-class team at all levels.
CDB Aviation Cares
Being responsible stewards, committed to taking care of the communities where we live and work, is the hallmark of our company. At CDB Aviation, our vision is to be the most trusted leader in aircraft leasing. We’re not just innovating to propel the aviation industry forward, we’re committed to demonstrating our values, heritage, and diverse backgrounds as a company that is invested in the success of our clients, employees, and communities. We contribute time, talent, and financial resources to a wide range of initiatives that benefit our communities, promote knowledge-sharing, shape the next generation of leaders, and support organizations that make a meaningful impact on the livelihoods of our neighbors, colleagues, and friends, as well as our families.
VIEW FACT SHEET
CDB Aviation’s fleet consists of 510 owned and committed aircraft, and its global customer network comprises 71 lessees across 38 countries and regions.
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2024
On September 18, 2024, entered into aircraft purchase agreements with Boeing for the purchase of 50 737 MAX-8 aircraft, bringing its total orderbook with the manufacturer to 86. Photo: Jie Chen, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer, pictured with Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing
2024
On September 11, 2024, entered into an aircraft purchase agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 80 A320neo Family aircraft, bringing its total orderbook with the manufacturer to 128, comprising 29 A320neos and 99 A321neos.
2024
In September 2024, The CDB Aviation team accepted both the 2024 Sustainability Aviation Debt Deal of the Year and Sustainability Aircraft Lessor of the Year awards at the Airline Economics Sustainability Awards ceremony held in London earlier this week. “We are very pleased to be honored with these sustainability awards,…
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2024
In 2023, CDB Aviation remained laser-focused on diversifying our financing sources and broadening our relationships with banking and capital market providers. This groundbreaking facility was only possible because of the strong support from everyone involved, building on our platform’s robust ability to engage global financial institutions, the strong competencies and…
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2023
CDB Aviation announced that the Board of Directors selected Jie Chen to become the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead CDB Aviation and its remarkable team in advancing the company’s long-term vision, building on a strong track record of business performance and market…
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2023
CDB Aviation entered into its inaugural Sustainability Linked Loan, anchored with a $625 million syndicated term loan facility. “This innovative facility marks a landmark transaction for the aviation finance space,” underscored Jie Chen, Chief Executive Officer. “We’re thrilled to have leveraged our comprehensive sustainability strategy, with a particular focus on…
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2023
CDB Aviation has received a capital injection of RMB900,000,000 ($123 million) from its shareholder, CDB Leasing. CDB Leasing noted in an official filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange that “the capital injection is in line with the business positioning and strategic development planning of the Group, which will help…
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2023
CDB Aviation received the 2023 Asia-Pacific Bank Financing Deal of the Year award from Airline Economics for its $650 million Secured Portfolio Financing facility completed in November 2022. “We continue to successfully address CDB Aviation’s capital needs through diversifying our financing sources and by broadening and deepening our relationships with…
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2023
CDB Aviation received its inaugural ESG Risk Rating from Morningstar Sustainalytics: “Low ESG Risk,” with a strong score of 15.6, in top 6th % in its industry and subindustry – one of the lowest scores among aircraft lessors. “CDB Aviation is delighted to have received our first ESG Risk Rating…
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2023
CDB Aviation released its inaugural sustainability report, entitled: “Rising to the Challenge.” “CDB Aviation’s inaugural sustainability report marks an important milestone on our business’ sustainability journey,” explained Jie Chen, Chief Executive Officer. “Our team continues to evolve our business, with an unwavering commitment to facilitating positive change across the industry…
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2021
The flight UA2701, conducted with one of the carrier’s Boeing 737MAX aircraft on lease from CDB Aviation, operated one engine on 100% SAF with the other running on conventional jet fuel to prove there are no operational differences between the two — and to set the stage for the future…
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2021
The year 2020 marked a period of robust business activity for CDB Aviation despite the toughest market the aircraft leasing industry has ever experienced. “The pandemic-battered environment has inflicted an array of unexpected and unparalleled challenges upon all stakeholders across the global air transport sector, generating significant near-term headwinds,” reflected…
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2020
The aircraft converted from CDB Aviation’s fleet will offer airline customers 23% more cargo volume than older freighters aircraft types, and will be available for lease beginning in early 2022. The A330-300 P2F conversion program is conducted in partnership with EFW, marking CDB Aviation’s first entry into freighter conversion, advancing…
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2020
CDB Aviation appoints its new Chief Financial Officer Brendan O’Neill who will oversee all financial aspects of the company.
2020
CDB Aviation’s investment grade (“IG”) ratings are reaffirmed by the ‘big three’ global credit rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (“S&P Global”), Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”).
2020
Peter Goodman is promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Peter Goodman, who has served as Head of Commercial, EMEA, since March 2017, has laid the foundation to progress the company’s marketing activities across the globe by building up the impressive commercial success of its EMEA Commercial team.
2020
CDB Aviation reports another period of strong business activity in 2019, in which the lessor executed transactions involving 89 aircraft. CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer Patrick Hannigan asserted: “Our imperative is to remain steadfast in efforts to enhance efficiency and streamline operations to better serve the needs of business and…
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2020
In January 2020, Patrick Hannigan takes the helm of CDB Aviation at a pivotal time in the lessor’s robust development, with the goal of furthering its growth momentum. CDB Aviation Chairman, Mr. Xuedong Wang, commented: “I am very pleased that Pat Hannigan has accepted the opportunity to lead CDB Aviation.…
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2019
The first Airbus A330neo has joined the CDB Aviation fleet, marking the delivery of the first of two aircraft of the type to TAP Portugal (“TAP”). The A330-900 variant, equipped with the Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines, was delivered to TAP in Toulouse, France on September 6, as part of a…
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2019
CDB Aviation hosted a media briefing on the sidelines of the Airfinance Journal China 2019 conference for representatives of China’s leading finance, aviation, and business media. China remains at the heart of the company’s growth strategy – CDB Aviation is looking to bring its newly established global platform back to…
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2019
CDB Aviation accepts the Chinese Lessor of the Year 2018 award from Airfinance Journal in Shanghai during the Airfinance Journal China 2019 conference.
2019
Moody’s Investors Service assigned its ‘A1’ local currency and foreign currency issuer ratings with outlook stable. S&P Global Ratings assigned its ‘A’ long-term issuer credit rating with outlook stable. Fitch Ratings assigned its long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘A+’ with outlook stable. This important milestone was reached on schedule,…
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2019
CDB Aviation received the ‘Aircraft Portfolio Deal of the Year – Asia’ award from Global Transport Finance. Jeanette Delehanty, CDB Aviation’s Senior Vice President, Legal, accepted the award on behalf of our company at the GTF Awards gala held on January 31 in London. Jeanette pictured on stage alongside representatives…
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2019
CDB Aviation reported a record year for 2018, in which the company executed transactions involving 107 aircraft, rapidly accelerating business to support the continued growth of its industry-leading leasing platform. “We’re extremely proud to report that 2018 was another benchmark year for CDB Aviation, setting an all-time record for activity…
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2019
As part of Cirium’s Finance & Leasing ranking, CDB Aviation receives recognition as the 3rd largest lessor in China and the 12th largest leasing platform globally, by fleet value.
2019
CDB Aviation promoted Patrick C. Hannigan to the role of President, as part of the continued strategy to further strengthen executive management for the next phase of development. Patrick has served as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer since January 2017.
2018
“CDB Aviation is pleased to confirm that we have concluded a scaled transaction with Airbus,” said CDB Aviation President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Chang. “We are committed to being responsive with our customers and supportive of their platform’s needs. This is consistent with our business philosophy that is based…
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2018
CDB Aviation took delivery of its 100th Airbus A320 Family aircraft in November 2018. The A320neo aircraft, which will be operated by India’s low-cost carrier GoAir is part of a purchase and leaseback agreement signed with the carrier earlier in 2018. The delivery marks the overall 125th Airbus aircraft to join…
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2018
During the Aviation 100 awards gala held at the 2018 Aviation News Growth Frontiers Asia-Pacific conference in Hong Kong, Peter Chang, CDB Aviation CEO & President, was honored with the award of Asia-Pacific CEO of the Year.
2018
Industry partners, airline customers, and representatives of OEMs joined the CDB Aviation team on October 11 at their new home on George’s Quay to celebrate the grand opening of the lessor’s new Dublin headquarters. Peter Chang, President & CEO, expressed his appreciation for the support from both the employee team…
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2018
Peter Chang, CDB Aviation President & CEO, noted, “We are very excited about our new workspace at one of Dublin’s newly modernized landmarks. Our company’s success depends on the effectiveness of our team, and this new office space is designed to provide an engaging work environment for our team members,…
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2018
Designed to nurture the next generation of aviation finance talent, the scholarship will be awarded to a female student in the MSc Aviation Finance program at University College Dublin UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
2018
“Throughout this past year, the CDB Aviation team achieved several major milestones in our path to building a best-in-class global aircraft lessors,” said CDB Aviation President & CEO Peter Chang.
HONG KONG • DUBLIN
