Dubai Aerospace Enterprise agreed to acquire Macquarie AirFinance for an enterprise value of about $7 billion, vaulting the state-backed company into the ranks of the world’s largest aircraft lessors with a combined fleet of more than 1,000 planes.
The transaction will give DAE a portfolio of 1,029 aircraft, with narrowbody jets accounting for roughly 70% of the combined fleet — the workhorses of short- and medium-haul aviation that have seen surging demand as global air travel rebounds.
The deal will be funded through debt and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. On completion, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise expects to add 37 new airline customers to its portfolio.
The acquisition marks the second major deal in quick succession for DAE, which is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the emirate’s main government investment arm. Last year, the company acquired Nordic Aviation Capital in a transaction valued at around $2 billion.
Chief Executive Firoz Tarapore said the combination would create a “bigger, stronger, more diversified and well-capitalised” company. “Our increased scale and presence, along with an enhanced order book, will allow us to serve an additional number of customers with competitively priced offerings,” he said.
For Dubai, the transaction reinforces its ambitions to remain at the centre of global aviation and aerospace finance, complementing the emirate’s status as a long-haul travel hub.
📌 Why it matters:
The deal consolidates the global aircraft leasing industry at a time of tight jet supply, rising interest rates and delivery bottlenecks at manufacturers. By surpassing the 1,000-aircraft mark, DAE strengthens its bargaining power with manufacturers and airlines while deepening Dubai’s footprint in aviation finance.
📌 Bottom line:
The $7 billion acquisition transforms DAE into a top-tier global lessor with greater scale, broader customer reach and a fleet geared toward high-demand narrowbody aircraft — underscoring the Investment Corporation of Dubai’s push to build global champions in strategic industries.
