MAGI FORMALISES JOINT VENTURE WITH KOREAN ARRANGER YOUJEE PARTNERS

London-based aviation finance specialist Magi Partners has entered into an exclusive collaboration agreement with Seoul-based Youjee Partners, the leading arranger of aircraft finance in the Korean non-bank institutional investor market.

The Korean institutional market represents a rapidly evolving and increasingly significant source of long term private placement capital for aircraft finance, and is a primary focus for Magi Partners and Youjee Partners.

The agreement formalises an existing close relationship between Magi and Youjee and follows two recent landmark transactions jointly arranged by the two firms: a junior debt refinancing for an A380 leased to Singapore International Airlines (closed Oct 2014) and a 15 year Korean Finance Lease for a new A380 for Etihad Airways (closed Feb 2015).

John Sharman, co-founder of Magi Partners said: “Korean institutional investors are becoming an increasingly important source of long term capital for global aviation finance. Our collaboration with Youjee, as the market leader in the Korean market, has strategic significance for both firms and enhances our ability to serve our investor base and airline clients.”

Pumsoo Ra, CEO of Youjee Partners said: “We are delighted to have cemented our partnership with Magi. This will further strengthen our mutual capability and also provide us and our investors a direct connection with Magi’s aircraft management business, MPAM. We fully expect that the combined team’s skills, experience and business relationships will ensure many more years of success.“