DUBLIN, Aug 1 Reuters AerCap raised its fullyear earnings guidance for the second time this year after recording further gains on the sale of aircraft and higher lease revenue in the second quarter, the world39;s largest aircraft lessor said on Thursday.

AerCap expects fullyear adjusted earnings per share of around 10.25, including gains on the sale of aircraft, engines and helicopters in the first half of the year but excluding any potential further gains in the second half.

The Dublinbased lessor had forecast a range of 7.50 8.50 in March, excluding any gains on sale for the year, and raised it to 9.20 in May after reporting a 160 million euro first quarter net gain on asset sales.

It reported a further 129 million euro net gain in the period from April to June after it sold 29 aircraft, seven engines and one helicopter in what it described as a robust sales market.

AerCap39;s portfolio consisted of 3,492 owned, managed or ordered aircraft, engines and helicopters at the end of June, a fleet that far dwarfs its nearest rival. It entered into lease agreements for 162 of those assets in the second quarter.

Reporting by Padraic Halpin Editing by Tomasz Janowski

Source Reuters