What is the primary motivation of a lessee compared to a seller-lessee in a leaseback?

The primary motivation of a lessee compared to a seller-lessee in a leaseback situation is to use the aircraft without a capital investment. In a leaseback arrangement, the seller of the aircraft continues to use it by leasing it back from the buyer, effectively turning it into a lessee. This allows the seller-lessee to retain operational usage of the aircraft while freeing up capital that would have been tied up in ownership.

This setup is beneficial as it provides the lessee with immediate access to the aircraft without the significant upfront costs associated with purchasing it outright. Instead of making a large capital investment to acquire the aircraft, the lessee can allocate resources elsewhere or use operational funds more efficiently.

A seller-lessee benefits from maintaining operations of the aircraft while also leveraging the financial benefits of the sale, such as liquidity. The other options, such as generating income through leasing or purchasing the aircraft outright, do not accurately capture the essence of the lessee's motivation, which is primarily centered on utilizing the aircraft with minimal financial burden.