Crestone Air Partners, an aviation asset management platform, announced that Willow Wealth has joined Blue Crest Aviation Partners in connection with an initial commercial aviation investment. Blue Crest Aviation Partners is a joint venture between Crestone Air Partners and funds managed by Blue Owl Capital focused on acquiring mid-life commercial jet aircraft on lease to airlines globally through a disciplined, income-oriented strategy.
The transaction signals Willow Wealth’s expansion into the commercial aviation asset class and supports the continued growth of investor participation in an area historically dominated by large institutional capital. Through this investment, Willow Wealth will provide its investors with exposure to commercial jet aircraft supported by long operating histories, global demand, and durable cash-flow characteristics.
Blue Crest Aviation Partners brings together Crestone Air Partners’ aviation asset management and origination capabilities with Blue Owl Capital’s alternative credit investment experience. Since 2020, Crestone and Blue Owl-managed funds have jointly invested hundreds of millions of dollars in aviation assets, and Blue Crest Aviation Partners reflects a continuation of that collaboration.
“Blue Crest Aviation Partners was created to combine Crestone’s aviation expertise with Blue Owl’s institutional capital to pursue commercial aviation investments,” said Kevin Milligan, Chief Executive Officer of Crestone Air Partners. “Welcoming Willow Wealth into BCAP expands the investor base participating in these transactions and reflects the growing interest in the asset class.”
“Joining Blue Crest Aviation Partners allows us to provide our investors with access to commercial aviation investments through an experienced aviation manager and an established institutional capital base,” said Fahd Basir, Managing Director of Willow Wealth. “This initial investment reflects our focus on asset quality and long-term alignment.”
Willow Wealth expects to pursue additional commercial aviation investments through Blue Crest Aviation Partners consistent with its strategy of providing differentiated access to real-asset investment opportunities.
