28 May 2015

McCann FitzGerald recognised for the “Overall Deal of the Year” in Airfinance Journal’s 2014 Deal of the Year Awards

McCann FitzGerald has been recognised by Airfinance Journal for the “Overall Deal of the Year” in its 2014 Deal of the Year Awards announced in Miami last Thursday. The award recognised the firm’s work advising AerCap, a global leader in aircraft leasing and aviation finance, in relation to its US$7.6 billion acquisition of International Lease Finance Corporation (“ILFC”) from American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”).

article image

Airfinance Journal called the deal “an obvious choice for overall deal of the year” and noted that “no other deal has transformed the aircraft leasing space so completely in the last 12 months.”

In addition to its work advising AerCap on the acquisition, McCann FitzGerald advised on its US$2.6 billion bond issuance and the reorganisation and transfer of the majority of the ILFC fleet (approximately 900 aircraft) into Ireland. The deal, which is the largest M&A deal in the aviation industry to date, gives AerCap a combined fleet of approximately 1300 aircraft in addition to its significant combined order book.

Airfinance Journal’s Deal of the Year Awards recognise “a selection of the best financings of last year by both region and financing structure.”

The McCann FitzGerald team was led by partner Hilary Marren and included partners Mary Brassil, Damian Collins, Joe Fay, Joshua Hogan, David Lydon, Roy Parker, and Tony Spratt.

Key contacts