Fitch report says low long-term impact of coronavirus on lessors

While a number of carriers including British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic had previously announced suspension of flights to China, rating agency Fitch said that the Wuhan coronavirus is not expected to have a major impact on the aircraft lessor sector and ABS ratings in the near term. Fitch cited the relative diversity of customer bases, solid cash flow generation derived from long-term leases and the fact that current ratings already reflect sensitivity to periodic exogenous shocks, meant the impact on airlines earnings should be limited. However, the Fitch report did say that should a pandemic develop further and materially