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Allen & Overy advises BNP Paribas and China Merchants Bank on financing five aircraft for Lufthansa

Allen & Overy has advised French high street bank BNP Paribas as debt provider on financing the leasing of three Airbus A320neo aircraft, as well as China Merchants Bank as lessor in the financing of two Airbus A350 aircraft for Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

The A320neo aircraft were financed through Japanese operating lease structures (JOLCO), with BNP Paribas providing debt financing in addition to a Japanese equity investor. The two A350 aircraft were financed via a direct bilateral finance lease provided by China Merchants Bank through its leasing facility in Ireland. The funding does not include any debt.

The transactions closed on 28 October 2021.

The Allen & Overy team comprised partner Wolfgang Melzer and senior associate Dr Tobias Wintermantel as well as associate Tom Haeseler (all Frankfurt). Partner Paul Nelson and associates Sam Wager and Laura Webster (all London) advised on English law matters. In addition, partner Matthew Bisley (Schanghai, all Banking & Finance) advised on Hongkong law. Law firm Arthur Cox (Dublin) covered Irish law in its capacity as co-counsel.