Sunsuper to invest in Macquarie AirFinance

Sunsuper, one of Australia’s largest and fastest growing superannuation funds, today announced it had agreed to take a 25% interest in Macquarie Group’s (Macquarie’s) aircraft leasing business, Macquarie AirFinance. 

Macquarie AirFinance was established in 2006 and has evolved to become a leading and successful global player in the aircraft operating lease industry, with a portfolio at 30 September 2019 of 196 aircraft and 60 aircraft orders. 

Today’s announcement follows the investment in Macquarie AirFinance announced in May this year by leading Dutch pension fund PGGM which also holds a 25% stake in the business. 

Macquarie has agreed with both PGGM and Sunsuper that Macquarie AirFinance will be Macquarie’s exclusive platform for investment in the aviation leasing sector.   Macquarie has also committed to provide services to support and grow the Macquarie AirFinance business. 

Macquarie’s Head of Transportation Finance, Stephen Cook said: “Sunsuper shares Macquarie and PGGM’s objective for continued investment in the aircraft operating lease sector and we are delighted to welcome a new key shareholder in Macquarie AirFinance.”  

Sunsuper’s Head of Alternative Strategies, Bruce Tomlinson said: “We are very pleased to establish this long-term partnership with Macquarie in this sector. Macquarie AirFinance is managed by a team of seasoned professionals, who have a proven track record in the aircraft leasing industry. We will look to grow the Macquarie AirFinance business, and continue to support the company’s strategy”.  Tomlinson added: “the investment is unique in its size and structure for an Australian superannuation fund and will deliver strong returns to Sunsuper members for the next decade.” 

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Media enquiries:

Sunsuper
Catherine Hughes
Sunsuper Corporate Affairs
+61 (0) 412 403 375
Catherine_Hughes@sunsuper.com.au

About Sunsuper

Sunsuper is one of Australia‘s biggest and fastest growing super funds with 1.4 million members, and as at October 2019, $70 billion in funds under management.  As a profit-for-members fund our customers sit at the heart of everything we do. We have no shareholders to pay and profits are returned to members through low administration fees, product innovation and enhanced services.