Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser sets out roadmap for IPO in 2021

The head of Saudi Aramco, pictured here at Davos 2017, has laid out a roadmap leading to the sale of shares in the world’s biggest oil company in 2021. (WEF)
Updated 27 January 2019
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Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser sets out roadmap for IPO in 2021

  • ‘The IPO is going to happen. There is no doubt the commitment is there,’ CEO tells Arab News
  • Aramco considering a major acquisition in the global gas industry

DAVOS: The head of Saudi Aramco has laid out a roadmap leading to the sale of shares in the world’s biggest oil company in 2021.
“It’s going to happen,” president and chief executive Amin Nasser told Arab News. “There is no doubt the commitment is there, and it was also further confirmed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and by the Minister of Energy Khalid Al-Falih.”
The initial public offering — potentially the biggest stock-market flotation in history — will require careful coordination over the next two years, he said.

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FULL ARAB NEWS INTERVIEW WITH AMIN NASSER HERE

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The first stage is to complete the acquisition of SABIC, the Kingdom’s industrial giant, to transform Aramco into a major player in the global petrochemicals industry.
“That will take almost until the end of 2019, or maybe a little bit more; we don’t know because you need approval from a lot of countries where SABIC has major operations,” Nasser said.
“After that you need a minimum of one year to … show what is the impact on our balance sheet — because the investors will want to see. Then you can go to the market.”
Aramco is also considering a major acquisition in the global gas industry, with potential targets in the US, Russia and Australia, Nasser revealed.
“The team is identifying opportunities and we’re at the stage of reviewing them in detail before we announce anything.”


PIF-backed AviLease achieves revenue of $664m and 19% growth in 2025

Updated 27 February 2026
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PIF-backed AviLease achieves revenue of $664m and 19% growth in 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed AviLease achieved exceptional performance and sustainable business growth during 2025, supported by the strategic expansion of its global platform.

According to its financial results for 2025, AviLease recorded total revenues of $664 million, an annual increase of 19 percent, driven by disciplined growth in its asset portfolio and strong performance in aircraft remarketing amid sustained global demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Profit before tax doubled compared to the previous year, reaching $122 million. The year witnessed an expansion in AviLease’s portfolio, reaching 202 owned and managed aircraft, leased to over 50 airline companies in more than 30 countries. 

The total value of the company’s assets stabilized at $9.3 billion. AviLease maintained a 100 percent fleet utilization rate, reflecting the resilience of its business model, the efficiency of its asset management, and the strength of its strategic relationships with airlines around the world.

AviLease concluded purchase agreements for aircraft from Airbus, including the A320neo family and A350F, and Boeing 737 aircraft, aiming to enhance its future asset portfolio with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. This step will contribute to supporting future growth and meeting increasing customer demand for the latest aircraft, aligning with the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a leading global aviation hub.

AviLease strengthened its prestigious credit standing by obtaining a strong Baa2 credit ratings from Moody’s and BBB from Fitch, reflecting its financial solidity, managerial discipline, and efficiency in managing leverage. The company also successfully issued senior unsecured bonds worth $850 million last November under Regulation 144A/RegS. This issuance contributed to diversifying its funding sources and enhancing its financial flexibility.

Commenting on the results, AviLease CEO Edward O’Byrne said: “This exceptional performance reflects the quality of the company’s investment portfolio, the strength of its partnerships with airlines, and its strategic focus on responsibly deploying capital into highly sought-after, efficient, modern aircraft assets.”

He added: “As aviation markets continue to grow, AviLease is strategically positioned to continue its expansion plans and deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders, contributing to the Kingdom’s ambitions.”

Throughout 2025, AviLease continued to play a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s growing aviation sector and contributed directly to the launch and scaling of the new national carrier, Riyadh Air, by completing a sale and leaseback transaction for a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which thereby became the first aircraft to join the airline’s fleet.

AviLease also established a strategic partnership with Hassana Investment Co. This partnership aims to provide an opportunity for local and international investors to enter the aircraft financing asset class and benefit from AviLease’s technical expertise and operational capabilities to support partnership growth and enhance performance. 

Hassana Investment Co. has agreed to acquire an initial portfolio of 10 modern aircraft from AviLease.