DAE to buy Macquarie AirFinance in $7 billion deal

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DAE to buy Macquarie AirFinance in $7 billion deal

Editorial Team

February 23, 2026

DAE Capital nearing deal to buy Macquarie Airfinance — Illustrative photo: DubaiDiplomacy.com/ai

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise DAE to buy Macquarie AirFinance in $7 billion deal

DUBAI,—Dubai Aerospace Enterprise said Thursday it plans to acquire aircraft leasing company Macquarie AirFinance for an estimated $7 billion, creating one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing groups with a combined fleet of 1,029 planes.

The deal comes after a competitive bidding process, reflecting strong investor interest in aircraft assets as Boeing and Airbus struggle to increase production to meet airline demand.

The aircraft leasing market is mainly led by AerCap Holdings and SMBC Aviation Capital, both headquartered in Ireland. Analysts say the Macquarie AirFinance acquisition will move Dubai Aerospace Enterprise into the top tier of global lessors.

Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, said the transaction “fast tracks Dubai Aerospace Enterprise to the forefront of global aircraft leasing.”

He noted that it will expand the Dubai state-owned company’s customer base and increase its holdings in newer aircraft, even while major manufacturers face supply constraints.

The merged fleet will serve 191 airlines across 79 countries. Narrowbody jets will make up about 70% of the total portfolio, DAE said.

The acquisition adds 37 airline customers, including carriers in seven countries where DAE did not previously operate.

Funding for the deal will come from a mix of debt and equity, the company said.

DAE CEO Firoz Tarapore said the acquisition will create a “bigger, stronger, more diversified and well-capitalized” company.

He added that the scale of the combined entity will support more competitive pricing and a wider range of services for airline customers.

DAE is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the government’s main investment arm. The company previously acquired Dublin-based AWAS, then the world’s tenth largest aircraft lessor, in 2017.

Macquarie AirFinance is owned by Australia’s investment services company Macquarie Group. DAE said the acquisition has been approved by its board and still requires regulatory approvals before it is finalized.

Earlier in February 2026, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise released its financial results. The company reported higher profit, revenue and aircraft holdings. It said net profit reached 702.2 million dollars in 2025.

(With files from Reuters)

The article has been updated on February 26, 2026.