volofin Finance (Ireland) Designated Activity Company and volofin Finance US LLC’s Aviation Loan CLO Wins ‘ABS Deal of the Year’
volofin Finance (Ireland) Designated Activity Company and volofin Finance US LLC’s inaugural $534 million aviation loan CLO, advised by Arnold & Porter, won “ABS Deal of the Year” at the Airline Economics’ 14th Annual Global Leaders Aviation 100 Awards 2025. The prestigious awards ceremony highlighted outstanding companies, individuals, and transactions in the aviation finance and leasing sector that excelled over the past year. The ceremony was held during the Growth Frontiers Dublin conference, which gathered aviation professionals from across the globe to discuss the latest developments and key topics in the airline industry.
The issuance consisted of $387,081,000 5.935% Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2024-1, Class A; $56,060,000 6.211% Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2024-1, Class B; $48,051,000 6.751% Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2024-1, Class C; $16,017,000 7.532% Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2024-1, Class D; and $26,695,711, Series 2024-1, Residual Interest Notes. The Class A Notes, Class B Notes, Class C Notes, and Class D Notes are backed by 22 Aviation Loan Facilities, 107 senior-secured aviation loans, secured by 225 aircraft assets with 51 credit counterparty operating aviation lessees.
The Arnold & Porter team was led by partner Daniel Hartnett and included senior counsel Joel Greenberg, counsel Catherine Hagerty, senior associate Bethany Tolentino, associate Ashleigh Heffernan, and associate Rachel Mower with respect to corporate matters; partner David Sausen and senior associate Gus Weinkam on tax matters; partners Stephen Culhane and Simon Firth on investment management matters; counsel Kathleen Wechter on ERISA matters; and counsel John Rynkiewicz on intellectual property matters. Members of the Arnold & Porter team have worked with the management team of volofin Capital Management Group LP in prior firms for over 20 years and assisted volofin on the structuring and implementation of its specialty aviation finance platform for the origination, financing, and securitization of loans secured by aviation assets. This transaction is only the fourth aviation loan ABS securitization ever completed, and only the second to secure a AAA rating for the most senior tranche. The transaction was rated by Morningstar DBRS and KBRA.