SMBC Aviation Capital closed a $1.5 billion loan facility with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) through one of their shareholders, Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL). JBIC signed the loan agreement with SMFL which will use these funds to finance SMBC Aviation Capital.

The facility will part-finance SMBC Aviation Capital's recent purchase of Goshawk Management Ltd and associated corporate assets (together Goshawk).

JBIC is a policy-based financial institution owned by the Government of Japan whose mission is to contribute to the sound development of Japan’s international economy and society, and this financing facility promotes the overseas development of Japanese-owned enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Aisling Kenny, Chief Financial Officer of SMBC Aviation Capital, said, "This transaction further strengthens our relationship with JBIC and is a strong endorsement SMBC Aviation Capital’s growth objectives, in particular our acquisition of Goshawk.

“The transaction was facilitated by our shareholders, the SMBC Group and Sumitomo Corporation, who also played a supportive role throughout the Goshawk acquisition process, highlighting SMBC Aviation Capital’s role as a key pillar of the wider Group’s international expansion strategy.

“Our business is positioned to capitalize on opportunities presented by the strong industry recovery and we are committed to supporting the aviation sector’s transition to new technology aircraft while delivering significant value to our shareholders.”

Commenting on the transaction, a spokesperson for JBIC said, "This financing facility maintains and strengthens the international competitiveness of the Japanese aircraft leasing industry," and that "as Japan's policy-based financial institution, JBIC will continue to actively provide financial support for overseas M&A activities of Japanese companies and their overseas business expansion in collaboration with private financial institutions."

SMBC Aviation Capital announced the completion of the acquisition of Goshawk, the Dublin-based global aircraft lessor, for an enterprise value of $6.7 billion on Dec. 21, 2022. SMBC Aviation Capital is the second largest aircraft operating lease company globally, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of over 940 aircraft. Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprised of two of Japan’s biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation.