Henan’s first cross-border aircraft lease: HNCA Leasing delivers ATR72-600 to Air Cambodia

Hena n Daily

Zhengzhou: On May 21 at 11:00 local time, the aircraft leasing company under Henan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Co., Ltd (HNCA Leasing) successfully delivered an ATR72-600 aircraft at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France, marking the debut of Henan’s cross-border aircraft leasing. The aircraft will enter service with Air Cambodia under a financial leasing agreement.

“This delivery marks another breakthroughin aircraft leasing innovation, as Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ) is steering in the direction of ‘Air Silk Road’ demonstration zone”, according to ZAEZ’s Aerospace Command. As the only region in central China continuously engaged in aircraft leasing, ZAEZ has achieved full coverage in leasing models – including operating, financial, bonded, and non-bonded leases, for both new and used aircraft, alongside onshore and offshore transactions. The cross-border dual-offshore leasing model in ZAEZ, with both ends located overseas, establishes a pioneering framework for aircraft leasing in the province, but also exemplifies new offshore trade practices in aviation finance, showcasing its global competitiveness and elevating its role in open economic collaboration.

As the national flag carrier of Cambodia, Air Cambodia currently operates a fleet that includes ATR72 series aircraft and Airbus A320 jets, playing a key role in the Southeast Asian route network. In recent years, it has continued to expand its presence in the Chinese market. In 2022, it launched the Phnom Penh-Zhengzhou route, followed by establishing its Chinese headquarters at ZAEZ in 2023, marking Henan’s first foreign airline headquarters.

Industry insiders have stated that this cooperation offers advantages such as high financing efficiency, flexible resource allocation, and strong risk isolation. It will help Air Cambodia optimize its fleet structure, develop a “China trunk line + Lancang-Mekong regional feeder” route network, and further expand the reach of the Henan-Cambodia-ASEAN “Air Silk Road”. Additionally, it will enhance expertise for the international development of Henan’s aviation finance.