TOKYO, Japan - August 8, 2018 - ORIX Corporate ("ORIX") announced today that, via its group company in Ireland, ORIX Aviation Systems Limited ("ORIX Aviation"), which is not only an established aircraft leasing and trading company but also a leading S&P ranked aircraft asset manager, has signed an agreement to acquire 30% of the outstanding shares of Ireland-based Avolon Holdings Limited ("Avolon"), which is a leading global aircraft leasing company. The acquisition is expected to be completed after the necessary approvals and/or licenses are obtained.

1. Reason for the acquisition on the shares

ORIX entered into the aircraft finance lease business in 1978 and has accumulated aviation experience and knowledge over the past 40 years. In 1991, it established ORIX Aviation in Ireland to get a foothold in the aircraft operating lease business. Since formation ORIX Aviation has grown to be a major aircraft lessor, asset manager and trading company. In addition to the leasing of its own portfolio aircraft, it has developed a unique asset management platform that attracts both domestic Japanese and international investors, and is the only S&P ranked aircraft lease servicer worldwide with USD10 billion of aircraft assets under management. At present, ORIX Aviation owns and manages over 200 aircraft and leases them to more than 70 airlines located in over 30 countries. ORIX Aviation is headquartered in Dublin with an office in Hong Kong.

Avolon is a leading global aircraft leasing company focused on acquiring, managing, leasing and selling commercial aircraft. Avolon is headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the United States, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. In May 2010, Avolon was launched by an experienced team of aircraft leasing and financing professionals, and operated as a private company until the initial public offering of the business in December 2014. Avolon operated as a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AVOL” before being acquired by Bohai in January 2016. Subsequently, Avolon became the core aircraft leasing brand for Bohai and its parent, HNA Group. In April 2017, Avolon acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interest of C2, the commercial aircraft leasing business of CIT Group.

Avolon focuses on acquiring and maintaining a portfolio of young, modern, fuel efficient commercial aircraft while seeking to maximize long‐term earnings growth and cash flow generation and drive attractive risk‐adjusted returns through the aviation industry cycle. The business is operated on a global basis, maintaining a diverse fleet of aircraft provided to airlines across different geographic regions. As of June 30, 2018, Avolon’s owned managed and committed portfolio consisted of 890 aircraft, including 532 owned aircraft, 30 managed aircraft and 328 committed aircraft.

The worldwide demand for aircraft is projected to increase due to the rise in LCCs and the increase in global passenger traffic also in line with the rapid economic growth of markets, in particular emerging markets. The number of the worldwide commercial aircraft fleet is expected to rise from 24,400 in 2017 to 48,540 in 2037, and passenger traffic is expected to grow by an average of 4.7% per year*.

Airline demand for aircraft leasing by airlines is projected to increase with the objective of achieving flexible fleet planning and financing. Currently, approximately 40% of the commercial aircraft in operation worldwide are financed by operating leases. More growth is expected, and many forecasts expect this ratio to reach almost 50% in the future.

By virtue of the acquisition of the shares of Avolon, ORIX aims to achieve sustainable long term growth of its business by way of strengthening its access to the manufacturer order positions that Avolon holds and also further expanding its aircraft leasing business investment universe. ORIX strives to further increase its presence in the global aircraft leasing market via its collaboration with Avolon and by utilizing of the considerable experience and knowledge that ORIX has gained through its long involvement in both aircraft leasing and financing.

*Source：Boeing Commercial Market Outlook 2018‐2037

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Contact Information: 
ORIX Corporation 
Corporate Planning Department 
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121 

About ORIX: 
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is an opportunistic, diversified, innovation-driven global powerhouse with a proven track record of profitability. Established in 1964, ORIX at present operates a diverse portfolio of businesses in the operations, financial services, and investment spaces. ORIX’s highly complementary business activities span industries including: energy, private equity, infrastructure, automotive, ship and aircraft, real estate and retail financial services. ORIX has also spread its business globally by establishing locations in a total of 40 countries and regions across the world. Through its business activities, ORIX has long been committed to corporate citizenship and environmental sustainability. For more details, please visit our website: http://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/ (As of March 31, 2018)

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements: 
These documents may contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results that differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018.”