 Profile
BCI Aircraft Leasing is a private aircraft operating leasing firm founded in 1999. Over the past nine years, BCI Aircraft has become one of the country’s fastest growing aircraft leasing companies. BCI Aircraft is headquartered in Chicago with satellite offices in Los Angeles, Argentina, France and Turkey.
BCI Aircraft was founded by Brian Hollnagel, who serves as president and CEO. Five years after its inception, in 2004, BCI Aircraft and Brian Hollnagel were featured in an Airfinance Journal article called “Billion Dollar Baby.” By 2006, BCI Aircraft owned 97 aircraft worth nearly $1 billion. During that same year, BCI Aircraft employed 15 workers.
BCI Aircraft’s success is a testament to Brian Hollnagel’s vision of the commercial aircraft leasing business. BCI Aircraft’s strategy was to acquire older aircraft, five to 15 years old, preferably in non-auction style transactions, with three- to seven-year operating leases with creditworthy airlines. Leasing gives airlines flexibility by allowing them to add or replace planes without adding debt. The option, offered by BCI Aircraft, is ideal for start-up airlines with no credit histories, as well as for financially struggling carriers coping with soaring fuel costs.
BCI Aircraft’s fleet is comprised of modern high utility aircraft. BCI Aircraft has leased airplanes to more than 20 airline customers from 15 countries. BCI Aircraft’s aircraft portfolio and its cost-efficient platform allows the company to continue to grow in both the domestic and global markets.
BCI Aircraft clients include such airlines as Aloha, Air France, British Airways, Delta, Europe Airpost, KLM, Southwest, TANS and US Airways.
BCI Aircraft also operates a jet subsidiary, Genesis Custom Jetliners, which has targeted the delivery of three aircraft per year. A recent acquisition, for example, was for four 737-500s, three from a major European airline and another on lease to British Airways.
Brian Hollnagel built BCI Aircraft using leverage, equity investment and commitment to stakeholders. Brian Hollnagel eschewed high yield/high risk airlines in favor of more moderate returns provided by the world’s leading carriers. In this manner, BCI Aircraft developed into a billion dollar commercial aircraft trading organization.
In addition to the U.S. market, BCI Aircraft is looking into doing business in Russia and China.
Prior to founding BCI Aircraft, Brian Hollnagel was employed by United Airlines, working with the chief pilot and director of flight operations.
|
|
