Aviation investment firm Knighthood Capital has partnered Six West, a global provider of support services to aircraft lessors, airlines and private aviation, to explore and develop new growth opportunities for the aircraft leasing industry.

In a statement, Six West said the sides will cooperate in offering aircraft lessors and lessees an integrated and comprehensive package of aircraft leasing and financing services from its base in Malta.

Through its two Air Operator Certificates (AOC) - an EASA-endorsed one in Malta and an OTARS-compliant one in the Cayman Islands - Six West will allow lessors to deploy their assets to regions that would otherwise present unacceptable levels of risk within the current lessor–lessee business model.

“We believe our partnership with Six West will support the growing aviation hub and exciting developments in aircraft leasing in Malta. Together we can offer a broad strategic proposition that combines deep global experience, expertise and innovation,” former Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) boss and now Executive Chairman of Knighthood Capital James Hogan said.

Jason Williamson, Six West’s co-founder said: “Today, we are able to offer compelling alternatives to the established status quo in the lessor-lessee relationship. Lessors will have options to leverage the full commercial value of their assets and lessees will benefit with access to more aircraft in more parts of the world. We are working with first movers at present and are delighted with the interest and support we are receiving."

Six West bills itself as the world’s first airline built for the leasing industry.

One potential client for the partnership is Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) where Chairman Patrick Chinamasa told local media in July that it had been courted by Knighthood Capital although no specific details of its proposal were divulged.