Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has announced the acquisition of the leasing firm Macquarie AirFinance for approximately $7 billion. This strategic move catapults the Dubai state-owned company into the ranks of the world’s largest lessors, consolidating a combined fleet of 1,029 aircraft.
A Leap Toward Market Leadership
The acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance, previously owned by the Australian Macquarie Group, marks a major milestone in DAE’s trajectory. According to industry analysts, this move positions the company at the top tier of the industry, competing directly with current Ireland-based leaders: AerCap Holdings and SMBC Aviation Capital.
This expansion is not the company’s first large-scale venture; in 2017, DAE—owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai—acquired AWAS, which at the time was the tenth-largest lessor globally.
Fleet Details and Operational Reach
The integration of both portfolios creates an entity with massive operational capacity and a diversified customer base:
- Total Fleet: 1,029 aircraft following the merger.
- Composition: Narrowbody (single-aisle) aircraft represent approximately 70% of the portfolio.
- Geographic Reach: The combined entity will serve 191 airlines across 79 countries.
- New Markets: The deal adds 37 new customers, including a presence in seven countries where DAE did not previously operate.
Strategic and Financial Context
The transaction occurs during a period of high demand for aviation assets, driven by the challenges Boeing and Airbus face in accelerating production to meet airline orders.
DAE CEO Firoz Tarapore highlighted that the agreement will create a “larger, stronger, more diversified, and well-capitalized” company. Meanwhile, Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst at KCM Trade, noted that the operation accelerates the firm’s positioning at the forefront of global aircraft leasing, increasing its exposure to newer aircraft in an environment of supply constraints.
Next Steps and Approval
The purchase, which will be financed through a combination of debt and equity, has already received approval from DAE’s board of directors. The final closing of the operation is now subject to the corresponding regulatory approvals to formalize the creation of one of the aerospace sector’s most influential giants.
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