BOC Aviation, formerly named Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, is a global company engaged in commercial aircraft sales and leasing, with headquarters in Singapore and offices in Dublin, London, Seattle and Tianjin.
The Company was founded in 1993 as Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) by Singapore Airlines Limited and Boullioun Aviation Services, Inc., a U.S.-based aircraft operating leasing company. In 1995 it acquired its first owned aircraft and in 1996 it placed the first order with Airbus. In 1997, the Company’s shareholder base was broadened when Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Private Limited joined the founders as investors.
In 2000, the Company was reported to be the largest customer of the Airbus' single-aisle aircraft in Asia.
In July 2004, SALE underwent a change in its shareholder structure, following the transfer of the 35.5% stake held by Seattle-based Boullioun Aviation Services to the US lessor's parent company WestLB AG of Germany. Boullioun was a 100% subsidiary of WestLB from 2001, until 2005 when it was sold to Aviation Capital Group. The remaining ownership then of SALE was unchanged, with Singapore Airlines (SIA) holding 35.5%, and Singapore government investment agencies GIC and Temasek Holdings each retaining 14.5%.
In December 2006, the Company was acquired by, and became a wholly owned subsidiary of, Bank of China. At the time, the Company was the largest aircraft leasing company in Asia. Following the acquisition the Company’s name was changed to BOC Aviation Pte. Ltd. on 2 July 2007. Bank of China bought the company's shares for US$965 million. On 12 May 2016, the company was converted to a public company limited by shares and the company's name was changed to BOC Aviation Limited.
