EGBJ From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 498 posts, RR: 5 Posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 595 times:
Hi all,
Whilst I get the general idea of what an "option" is i've never understood the details...could someone please explain. Also, what is a "purchase right"...and while we're at it could someone also explain what exactly a "Memorandum of Understanding" and "Letter of Intent" is please.
I did a search...to no avail. If a thread already exists on these topics could somebody please direct me to it.
EGBJ From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 498 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 532 times:
So am I right in thinking an MoU is virtually the same as a LoI and that they are effectively agreements between two parties. How do they differ from a conventional contract? Wiki says they indicate "an intended common line of action, rather than a legal commitment"...what exactly does that mean?
Srbmod From United States, joined Mar 2001, 14248 posts, RR: 62 Reply 3, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 524 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
An option is basically an agreement to purchase an a/c at a certain price if the airline (or leasing company) exercises any options. The price for the options is locked in. Say ABC Airways orders 25 a/c from a manufacturer at $50 million a piece. As part of the deal, they also agreed to 25 options, for which they would pay the previously agreed upon $50 million price. This can be beneficial for the airline (or leasing company) if the price for a brand new a/c goes up. Let's say that 2 years down the road, ABC Airways decides to exercise 15 of the 25 options. The manufacturer is now selling that a/c for $65 million each due to demand for the a/c. ABC Airways won't be spending $65 million for those 15 a/c; they'll be paying $50 million each.
From what I can gather "purchase right" is just another term for an option.
EGBJ From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 498 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 493 times:
Thanks Srbmod...that makes sense. A few more questions though. Do options expire?...if so when and also is there a limit to how many options a carrier can place at any one time. Furthermore...what advantage does the whole idea of options have to the manufacturer?
Moo From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 468 times:
Options can also secure extra production slots on a manufacturing line, although this is not normal - essentially if a deal is good enough, the manufacturer could agree to guaranteed production slots on the line which allows for the carrier to 'buy now, pay later' in more ways that one (finance, purchase agreements with shareholders et al).
Quoting EGBJ (Reply 4): Do options expire?...if so when and also is there a limit to how many options a carrier can place at any one time.
Options do expire, but 'when' depends on the negotiations between the carrier and the manufacturer, as well as how many.
Quoting EGBJ (Reply 4): Furthermore...what advantage does the whole idea of options have to the manufacturer?
They have the potential of selling more during a period, and as that period expires they can approach option holding airlines and press them for a decision without any difficult negotiation.
Essentially an option is an 'almost sold' aircraft - all it takes is an option holder to say yes, no negotiation involved.
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 498 posts, 
From United States, joined May 2006, 469 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Printer friendly format 
