Read About BCI AIrcraft
BCI Aircraft Leasing is a Chicago-based firm led by President and CEO Brian Hollnagel. Brian Hollnagel founded BCI Aircraft in 1999 after landing an $18 million loan from Bank of America to acquire a pair of 737-200s. By 2004, Brian Hollnagel and BCI Aircraft were featured in an article called "Billion Dollar Baby," published in Airfinance Journal. By 2006, BCI Aircraft owned 97 aircraft worth nearly $1 billion. During that same year, BCI Aircraft employed 15 workers.
BCI Aircraft, Flying High
BCI Aircraft's success comes from Brian Hollnagel's vision of the commercial aircraft leasing business. Leasing gives airlines flexibility by allowing them to add or replace planes without adding debt. The option is ideal for start-up airlines with no credit histories, as well as for financially struggling carriers coping with soaring fuel costs. The strategy for BCI Aircraft was to acquire older aircraft, five to 15 years old, preferably in non-auction style transactions, with three- to seven-year operating leases with creditworthy airlines.
BCI Aircraft has grown to its current size using leverage, equity investment and commitment to stakeholders. BCI Aircraft CEO Brian Hollnagel has avoided high-yield/high-risk airlines in favor of more moderate returns provided by the world's leading carriers. In this manner, BCI Aircraft has become a billion dollar commercial aircraft trading organization, one of the fastest growing in the industry.
BCI Aircraft's International Flight Path
In addition to its native US market, BCI Aircraft is becoming more involved in Russia and expects to deliver Western-manufactured aircraft to the Russian government. BCI Aircraft also is looking into the Asian market, and has created a three-year awareness campaign for the region, targeting China.
Prior to founding BCI Aircraft, Brian Hollnagel was employed by United Airlines, working with the chief pilot and director of flight operations. Brian Hollnagel has been a multi-engine pilot since 1992.
BCI Aircraft, Flying High
BCI Aircraft's success comes from Brian Hollnagel's vision of the commercial aircraft leasing business. Leasing gives airlines flexibility by allowing them to add or replace planes without adding debt. The option is ideal for start-up airlines with no credit histories, as well as for financially struggling carriers coping with soaring fuel costs. The strategy for BCI Aircraft was to acquire older aircraft, five to 15 years old, preferably in non-auction style transactions, with three- to seven-year operating leases with creditworthy airlines.
BCI Aircraft has grown to its current size using leverage, equity investment and commitment to stakeholders. BCI Aircraft CEO Brian Hollnagel has avoided high-yield/high-risk airlines in favor of more moderate returns provided by the world's leading carriers. In this manner, BCI Aircraft has become a billion dollar commercial aircraft trading organization, one of the fastest growing in the industry.
BCI Aircraft's International Flight Path
In addition to its native US market, BCI Aircraft is becoming more involved in Russia and expects to deliver Western-manufactured aircraft to the Russian government. BCI Aircraft also is looking into the Asian market, and has created a three-year awareness campaign for the region, targeting China.
Prior to founding BCI Aircraft, Brian Hollnagel was employed by United Airlines, working with the chief pilot and director of flight operations. Brian Hollnagel has been a multi-engine pilot since 1992.
