Chorus Aviation completes acquisition of six ATR 72-600 aircraft on lease to Flybe and Virgin Australia

HALIFAX, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Chorus Aviation Inc. ('Chorus') (TSX: CHR) announced today that Chorus Aviation Capital's subsidiaries have completed the acquisition of six ATR 72-600 aircraft with attached leases from Avation PLC (LSE: AVAP). The acquisition agreements were previously announced on April 24, 2017.  

The acquired aircraft are between one and four years old. Three are currently on lease to U.K. carrier, Flybe, and three are currently on lease to Virgin Australia Airlines.

Commenting on the purchase, Chorus Aviation Capital's President, Steven Ridolfi, said, "We are delighted to welcome Flybe and Virgin Australia as customers, and pleased to induct the first ATRs to our increasingly diverse fleet of regional aircraft."

Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus, said, "The addition of ATRs to our leased fleet adds a further element of diversification to our business. Through Chorus Aviation Capital, we are not only diversifying our customer base and geographic footprint, but also the aircraft types we can offer the market as we pursue our vision of delivering regional aviation to the world."

The acquisition was completed using a combination of equity capital from Chorus and term debt financing consistent with previously indicated leverage ratios for the Chorus Aviation Capital business. The aggregate purchase price for the aircraft is consistent with current market values for similar aircraft.

About Chorus

Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Chorus was incorporated on September 27, 2010. Chorus' vision is to deliver regional aviation to the world.  Chorus owns Jazz Aviation and Voyageur Aviation –  companies that have long histories of safe and solid operations that deliver excellent customer service in the areas of contract flying operations, engineering, fleet management, and maintenance, repair and overhaul.  Chorus has been leasing its owned regional aircraft into Jazz's Air Canada Express operation since 2009, and recently established Chorus Aviation Capital to become a leading, global provider of regional aircraft leases and support services. Chorus Class A Variable Voting Shares and Class B Voting Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol 'CHR'. For more information about Chorus and its subsidiaries, see www.chorusaviation.ca.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "should", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar words and phrases, including references to assumptions. Such information may involve but is not limited to comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking information related to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and other uncertain events. Forward looking information, by its nature, is based on assumptions, including those described below, and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts or forward-looking predictions or statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of risks, please refer to the section titled "Risk Factors" in Chorus' 2016 Annual Information Form. Any statements containing forward-looking information in this news release represent Chorus' expectations as of June 29, 2017. Chorus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc.

Chorus Media Contacts: Manon Stuart, Halifax, Nova Scotia, [phone], [email protected]; Debra Williams, Toronto, Ontario, [phone], [email protected]; Analyst Contact: Nathalie Megann, Halifax, Nova Scotia, [phone], [email protected]

Related Links

www.chorusaviation.ca