Aviation Sales Company Announces Creation of Engine Services and Airframe Material Divisions in Distribution Group.

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999--

-- Company Enters Regional Airline Engine Market --

Aviation Sales Company (NYSE:AVS) today announced the creation of two new divisions within Aviation Sales Distribution Company ("ASDC"). They are the Engine Services division and Airframe Material division and are designed to strengthen the ASDC procurement and marketing efforts in those business segments. The Company also announced that the newly formed Engine Services Division would add to its current base of material support and enter the Regional Aircraft Engine product lines beginning in 2000.

James D. Innella, President of Aviation Sales Company Distribution Group, stated: "We are pleased to announce the Distribution Group's creation of the Engine Services and Airframe Material Divisions. In separating the procurement and marketing efforts of these two operations, ASDC will further strengthen its presence in these respective markets and broaden its product line offerings."

Commenting on the new series of engine product lines, Mr. Innella continued: "The regional aircraft market is a rapidly growing area in which Aviation Sales Distribution Company has not participated to date. This new operation is an important step for Aviation Sales Distribution Company in positioning ourselves to expand our engine product offerings and will provide our services to a new customer base."

With the formation of the two operating divisions, Aviation Sales Distribution Company has appointed Joshua Abelson as President of the Engine Services Division and Michael Olesik as President of the Airframe Material Division. The development and the structure of the Engine Services and Airframe Material Divisions, as well as the Regional Aircraft Engine operations, will continue to be overseen by Mr. James Innella, President of Aviation Sales Company Distribution Group. The newly created positions are effective immediately.

Mr. Abelson, age 38, has been Senior Vice President of Sales since joining ASDC in July 1997. Mr. Abelson possesses 13 years of direct aircraft parts sales and sales management experience and before joining ASDC, he was General Manager at Applied Aerodynamics where he was responsible for day to day operations. Mr. Abelson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from the University of Texas.

Mr. Olesik, age 43, joins ASDC with over 20 years of aviation inventory management, purchasing and operations experience. Between 1997 and 1999, Mr. Olesik held the position of Senior Director of Technical Purchasing and Material Management at Atlas Air. While at Atlas Air, he was responsible for managing a $50 million operating budget and a spare parts inventory of over $100 million and provisioning the airline for the introduction of the 747-400 aircraft. Mr. Olesik has also held similar senior level positions at AAR Allen Aircraft, Sun Country Airlines, Continental Airlines and New York Air. Mr. Olesik graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Long Island University.

Mr. James D. Innella, President of Aviation Sales Company Distribution Group, commented: "Aviation Sales Distribution Company success is directly related to the efforts of our team of talented people. Since joining ASDC, Josh Abelson has done an outstanding job and has been a significant contributor to the company's overall performance. His aviation industry knowledge combined with his direct operating experience of our redistribution activities is a significant factor in our ability to grow this business. Mike Olesik is a strategic manager with a track record of streamlining company operations to improve profitability. With his extensive company budgeting experience and his 20+ years in the aircraft parts distribution industry, we are confident he will produce the same solid results for Aviation Sales Distribution Company as he achieved in his previous positions."

Mr. Dale S. Baker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Sales Company commented, "The Company's entrance into the Regional Aircraft Engine market is a single example of the enhanced capabilities and services ASDC will provide going forward with the refocus of the sales and marketing efforts. The managers we now have in place will be critical to the development of our Engine Services and Airframe Material operations. We are extremely pleased that we are able to strengthen our distribution operations with these appointments."

Aviation Sales Company is a leading independent provider of fully integrated aviation inventory and maintenance services, including aircraft heavy maintenance, component repair and overhaul, leasing, the distribution of aircraft spare parts and the manufacture of new components for major commercial airlines, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance and repair facilities throughout the world.

Except for historical information contained herein, this release contains certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of factors, including those identified below, could adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain these results: the Company's ability to acquire adequate inventory and to obtain favorable pricing for such inventory, competitive pricing for the Company's products and services, increased competition in the aircraft spare parts redistribution and MRO markets, the ability to consummate suitable acquisitions, the continuing ability to effectively integrate acquisitions, economic factors which affect the airline industry, and changes in government regulations. Certain of these risks are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of the Company's SEC filings are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.