RBS has cleared the sale of its aircraft business for takeoff, with the aim of raising at least $8bn.

RBS Aviation Capital is ranked in the world’s largest five specialists in leasing and financing aircraft. Its sale will be one of the largest asset disposals by the Edinburgh-based bank.

RBS is selling off non-core assets and as it continues to recover from near collapse in 2008.

Only the sale of RBS Sempra Commodities and the forthcoming disposal of its insurance division rival Aviation Capital for scale.

RBS recently passed the half-way point in selling off the £258bn of assets deemed non-core when its recovery program was launched at the start of 2009.