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Transport

Avation sees annual profits flying higher

Avation is set to resolve a US$2.1mln interest overhang issue for the second half

Aircraft lessor Avation (LON:AVAP) predicted higher annual profits despite facing interest payments on loans to expand the business.

Avation said moves to lease new jets to customers should significantly boost second-half lease revenues and lead to higher earnings by the end of the financial year.

The company issued the first US$100mln tranche of a US$500mln global medium term note programme in May 2015 to help it buy new aircraft.

It said it would make its first interest payment to noteholders this week and it would face a US$2.1mln interest overhang in the six-month period.

But the group added in a trading update: "Fortunately, this interest overhang issue is expected to be resolved for the second half of this fiscal year, with bond funds fully deployed."

Avation has bought five aircraft since July and has completed three of the deals with the other two set to close by the end of the half-year.

In the last month, it announced two narrow body aircraft purchases in addition to the growth forecast provided in early September.

One of the jets was the company's first Boeing 737-800 acquisition, which is now flying with Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines.

The other was an Airbus A320 flown by Germany's Air Berlin, which extends Avation's customer list to 11 airlines in Asia Pacific and Europe, about double the total at the end of June.

It says further aircraft deliveries to customers should take its monthly lease revenue to more than US$7.5mln for the first time.

Chief executive Jeff Chatfield said the group was not currently targeting wide-body aircraft but was likely to expand if if could reduce its debt costs.

He said the group expected to increase fleet assets from a book value of US$434mln at the end of June to almost US$750mln in March 2016.

"This represents over 70% growth," Chatfield said. "These fundamental growth initiatives are expected to propel the second half result to show a significant increase in lease revenues and lead to increased earnings by the end of the financial year."

Shares in Avation fell 3p or 2.3% to 130p in early afternoon London trading.

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