Qatar Airways Secures First Japanese JOLCO Financing for Three Boeing 787-9s

Qatar Airways Group has completed its inaugural Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) financing transaction, covering three Boeing 787-9 aircraft, in partnership with HSBC and JP Lease Products & Services (JLPS).

HSBC acted as debt arranger and sole lender, while JLPS underwrote and arranged the equity portion of the transaction.

The financing represents the first of three planned JOLCO transactions under Qatar Airways’ new Japanese financing program, which will cover a total of seven aircraft. JLPS will serve as equity arranger across the program.

The agreement provides Qatar Airways with access to Japanese institutional investment capital as the airline diversifies its aircraft financing sources and supports future fleet requirements.

Under the JOLCO structure, aircraft financing combines debt and Japanese investor equity with a lease arrangement that includes an option for the airline to purchase the aircraft.

Qatar Airways said it intends to establish a continuing presence in Japan’s aircraft financing market as part of its long-term funding strategy.

The financial value, lease terms and identities of the remaining four aircraft covered by the program were not disclosed.