Aircraft Value News [December 13, 2004] -

Issue: December 13, 2004

First Generation Stage 3 Residuals Face Tough Times -- Again

Fleet Replacement Plans Do Not Include B737-300s and MD80s The recent improvement in lease rentals and, to a lesser extent, values of the first generation Stage 3 aircraft is expected to be relatively short-lived as a stronger aviation market continues to encourage existing major operators to contemplate aircraft replacement. Lease…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Corporate Aircraft Values Get Boost from Depreciation Ruling

The U.S. tax rule that allows for another year's bonus depreciation on new fixed-asset purchases has spurred demand for new corporate aircraft. Under the current arrangement, if a U.S. taxpayer orders a business aircraft before Dec. 31 2004 and actually begins business use of that aircraft by the end of…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Shakeup at Boeing Highlights Strategic Cost-Cutting for New Aircraft

The departure of top Boeing [BA] salesman Toby Bright provides further evidence of intense pricing competition from archrival Airbus. In the final days of 2004, Airbus seems set to once again beat Boeing in both annual orders and production. The number of new orders placed for the B7E7 during 2004…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Easing Fuel Prices Reduces Prospect of Value Reassessment

The substantive fall in the price of oil, some 20 percent during the course of the first week of December, is providing a measure of relief for airlines. The fall in the price of oil from nearly $55 a barrel to under $45 is a reprieve for the airlines and…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Anxiety over Legacy Carriers Keeps Lid on Rise

Lease rates for newer aircraft continue to rise, although the concern over the prospects -- or lack of them -- of some of the U.S. legacy carriers is serving to contain the increase. Lease rentals of narrowbody aircraft in production are still managing to register a slight improvement despite the…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Freighter Values Gain in Run-Up to Holidays

The holiday season is traditionally a time when airfreight capacity is in short supply and operators can make considerable profits. There appears to be no difference this year. There continues to be significant demand for freighters in the run-up to the end of the year. This is translating into not…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

B737-800 Values Continue to Outperform

The B737-800 has consistently demonstrated low levels of availability, which has boosted its values. This is in contrast to the A320, which has had fluctuating levels of availability over the course of the last 18 months. The aircraft continues to be viewed with considerable enthusiasm by operators and investors alike.…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

'Unloved' Aircraft Types Still Being Transacted

Despite the low regard for certain types of aircraft, the ability to continue to trade them points to at least some basis for values. Two MD82s have been acquired by Air Adriatic from Alitalia for a combined price of ï¿½10 million, equivalent to US$13.4 million. At a unit price of…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN

Further CRJ200 Production Cut Points to Potentially Weaker Residuals

The 50-seat market continues to cause considerable anxiety for investors as both Bombardier [BBD] and Embraer [ERJ] cut production and forecasts, and as the market seeking larger equipment grows. While values of both the CRJ200 and ERJ145 are feeling the effects of increased pessimism, the former type is perhaps experiencing…

By: Aircraft Value News

December 13, 2004

AVN