MUFG Finances First Aircraft Acquisition for Blue Crest Aviation Partners, New Joint Venture from Blue Owl and Crestone Air Partners
New York, NY — Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of the 10 largest global financial groups, proudly announces a $53.7 million non-recourse, senior secured portfolio financing supporting Blue Crest Aviation Partners (“Blue Crest”). This marks the first set of aircraft investments by the Blue Crest platform, a joint venture with certain funds managed by Blue Owl Capital Inc. (Blue Owl) and Crestone; it is also MUFG’s inaugural transaction with Crestone as servicer.
MUFG acted as the Sole Structuring Agent and Lender. The assets include two Airbus A320-200s (leased to Allegiant and VivaAerobus) and two Boeing 737-800s (leased to Jet2 and Turkish Airlines).
“MUFG is pleased to have closed our inaugural transaction with Crestone, and to further expand our relationship with Blue Owl, as they continue to invest in this sector,” said Benoist de Vimal, Head of Aviation Origination, Americas.
“Thanks to MUFG for their partnership and confidence in our platform. This transaction marks an important milestone and reflects our focus on disciplined execution, institutional capital alignment, and long-term relationships that can scale meaningfully in today’s evolving aviation market,” said Kevin Milligan, Chief Executive Officer, Crestone Air Partners.
About MUFG and MUFG Americas
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 countries. The Group has about 150,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english.
MUFG’s Americas operations, including its offices in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada, are primarily organized under MUFG Bank, Ltd. and subsidiaries, and are focused on Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Japanese Corporate Banking, and Global Markets. MUFG is one of the largest internationally-headquartered financial institutions in the Americas. For locations, banking capabilities and services, career opportunities, and more, visit www.mufgamericas.com.
About Crestone Air Partners
Crestone Air Partners, Inc. (CAP) invests in commercial jet aircraft and the engines that power them on behalf of our capital partners. We are a full-service aviation asset management platform with a diverse portfolio of aircraft and engines leased to airlines globally. We target transactions in the secondary market, focusing on the last decade of the asset lifecycle. We take a collaborative approach with our clients by offering flexible lease terms tailored to our customers’ requirements. Crestone brings unique value to transactions by drawing on the expertise and capabilities of interrelated aviation specialist subsidiary businesses across the Air T family (airframe material sales, landing gear leasing, engine material sales, disassembly, and aircraft storage). Crestone is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and is a wholly owned business unit of Air T, Inc. holding company (NASDAQ: AIRT). Additional information can be found at: www.crestoneairpartners.com.
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