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Chorus Aviation to offer local aircraft leasing section for $1.9 bln

Jazz Air travel owner Chorus Aviation stated on Tuesday it would offer its local airplane leasing sector for about $1.9 billion to investment fund manager HPS Investment Partners LLC, in order to lower its debt.

The sale of the leasing sector, which does contract flying, airplane leasing and management, came about as a shift to an asset-light model would take longer than anticipated, Paul Rivett, chair of Chorus board, stated.

The deal, that includes $814 million in the kind of cash and $1.1 billion in aircraft debt, is expected to close by the end of the year.

This transaction will enable us to significantly reduce our financial obligation and business fundings, leaving Chorus with strong and foreseeable totally free cash streams from our long-lasting contracts, stated Chorus CEO Colin Copp.

Copp added that the company will continue to focus on growth in its local air travel services segment, which undertakes maintenance, repair and overhaul services and pilot training.

Chorus' largest shareholders, Brookfield Possession Management and Air Canada, which hold stakes of about 13.2% and 8.1%, respectively, have actually accepted the deal.

(source: Reuters)