Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas) has announced three separate aircraft transactions for 14 additional growth aircraft and a fourth transaction for the purchase of two leased aircraft and the conversion of future operating lease obligations to forward purchases.

“We continue to find purchase transactions for high quality Airbus aircraft to secure our future growth,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President and Chief Operating Officer. “We will now have 32 Airbus series aircraft, all owned, in our fleet by the end of 2018. We expect to use debt financing along with cash reserves to purchase these aircraft. Importantly, the additional A320/A319 aircraft are all sister ships to aircraft we currently operate. We remain active in the used Airbus market and hope to add more aircraft to our fleet during 2016 and 2017.”

The company has agreed to purchase twelve Airbus A319 aircraft currently leased to a European carrier until 2018. This purchase transaction is expected to be completed by the end of June. As each aircraft lease expires, Allegiant will transition the aircraft into its operating fleet. Allegiant expects to recognize approximately $30 million in annual lease revenue beginning in June 2014 through 2018 and plans to assume $142 million of secured debt under this transaction. The remaining two growth aircraft – one A319 and one A320 – will be purchased in 2015 and 2016 upon aircraft delivery.

The company has also agreed to purchase the two currently leased A319 aircraft in its fleet. This purchase is expected to be completed in July. The remaining six aircraft under the lease agreement executed in 2012 will be purchased at the time of delivery to Allegiant, expected to be in late 2014 through 2015.

The company expects its capital expenditures (CAPEX) to be approximately $315 million in 2014 and approximately $220 million in 2015. Upon completion of the above transactions, the company’s fleet plan will be as follows:

Airbus A319-100 (156 seats) will grow to 22 aircraft by 2018

Airbus A320-200 (177 seats) will grow to 10 aircraft by the end of 2015

Boeing 757-200 (215 seats) will remain at 6 aircraft through 2018

McDonnell Douglas MD-80 (DC-9-82s, DC-9-83s and MD-88s) (166 seats) will remain at 53 aircraft through 2018 (Allegiant is not expected to add any more MD-80s)

Overall the fleet will grow from the current 70 aircraft to 91 aircraft by 2018

This plan and guidance is subject to revision.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-112 N302NV (msn 2387) prepares to touch in Los Angeles.

Allegiant Air: