Sale and Leaseback for Business Jet Owners
Private Jet Sale and Leaseback
A private jet sale and leaseback means you sell the business jet you own to a lessor and lease it straight back. The aircraft stays in your programme with the same crew and schedule, while the equity tied up in the jet becomes cash you can use elsewhere. Blue Cube Aviation arranges sale and leaseback for private and corporate jet owners.
Why Do Owners Choose a Leaseback?
- Release capital. Turn equity in the aircraft into cash for the business or other investments.
Move residual value risk. Under an operating lease, the lessor carries the risk of the aircraft being worth less at the end of the term.
Keep flying. The same aircraft, crew and cabin, with no gap in your travel.
Plan the exit. The end of the lease sets a clear point to return, extend or upgrade, instead of running a resale yourself.
Simplify the cost. Rent replaces loan repayments with a fixed monthly cost for the term.
How Does a Sale and Leaseback Work?
- The aircraft is valued and a lessor offers to buy it at an agreed price.
- Sale and lease are signed together, so the aircraft never leaves your operation.
- The sale proceeds repay any existing aircraft loan, and you keep the balance.
- You pay rent over the lease term, under agreed maintenance, insurance and return conditions.
- At the end, you return the aircraft, extend the lease or, if agreed, buy it back.
Who Does a Sale and Leaseback Suit?
- Corporate owners who want capital back in the business
- Private owners who want liquidity without giving up the aircraft
- Owners planning to change type in a few years who want a clear exit
- Operators who own aircraft outright and want funds for fleet growth
What Are the Trade-Offs of a Sale and Leaseback?
A sale and leaseback is a liquidity tool, not a cost-saving tool. Over a long term, total rent is usually more than the cost of continuing to own the aircraft. You give up title and any future gain in value, and the lease sets rules on where you fly, how the aircraft is maintained and how it must be returned. Weigh those points against the value of the capital released. See private jet lease vs buy for the wider comparison.
What Do Lessors Look At on a Leaseback?
Aircraft type, age, hours, maintenance status and engine programme enrolment; registration and where the aircraft is based and flown; existing loans or security on the aircraft; the operator or flight department that flies it; the credit profile of the leasing entity. Large cabin and ultra long range aircraft such as the Gulfstream G650 and Global 6500 are common leaseback candidates. See large cabin and ultra long range jet lease.
Which Leaseback Terms Should You Negotiate?
The sale price and the rent are linked: a higher price usually means higher rent. Beyond that, focus on the lease term, maintenance reserves, return conditions, permitted use and any repurchase option. A repurchase option has to be written into the lease at the start. See business jet lease agreement terms and operating lease vs finance lease.
How Do Corporate Flight Departments Use Leasebacks?
Corporate owners use leasebacks to free capital without changing how the flight department runs. The crew, base and procedures stay the same, while ownership moves to the lessor. Take accounting and tax advice on how the lease will be treated in your reports. See corporate flight department jet leasing.
Sale and Leaseback FAQs
Do I keep using my jet after the sale?
Yes. The lease starts at the same time as the sale, so the aircraft stays in your operation throughout.
Can I buy my jet back?
Only if a repurchase option is negotiated into the lease. Ask for it at the start.
What if my aircraft still has a loan on it?
The sale proceeds are normally used to repay the loan first, and you keep the balance.
Is a leaseback the same as refinancing?
No. Refinancing keeps you as owner with a new loan. A leaseback transfers ownership to the lessor and you become the lessee.
Does Blue Cube Aviation arrange sale and leaseback?
Yes. Blue Cube Aviation arranges private jet sale and leaseback for private and corporate owners. Email the aircraft details to info@bluecubeaviation.net for options.
Request a Sale and Leaseback Quote
Email the aircraft type, year, hours, registration, base, any existing loan and the term you want to info@bluecubeaviation.net. Blue Cube Aviation replies with leaseback options. See every structure on our business jet leasing page.