I take this announcement as very positive - AQZ wouldn’t have committed to an additional two aircraft on a whim and therefore reading between the lines they are confident that they can deploy the increased aircraft numbers.
Interestingly:
the aircraft are going to be painted in Alliance livery which suggests they are not bound for Qantas as part of the 18 aircraft option deal.
AQZ are keen to get them flying in Australia as soon as possible. My assumption is that they are bound for another wet lease customer. If I were to lay odds, the long awaited Virgin Australia deal may be about to kick off. With increased fleet numbers, a deal to fly two aircraft may no longer be material and therefore may not need to be announced as a price sensitive transaction.
AQZ didn’t take the opportunity to provide a trading update for FY21, however the full year announcement is only six weeks away.
AQZ Price at posting:
$4.35 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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