DAE Completes US$9 Billion Acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has completed its acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance (MAF) in a transaction valued at approximately US$9.0 billion, creating one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing platforms.

Following the acquisition, DAE’s portfolio has expanded to approximately 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft, with its owned and managed fleet leased to more than 175 airlines across over 75 countries. The lessor also has commitments to acquire approximately 150 aircraft from Boeing, Airbus, ATR and other trading counterparties, with delivery positions extending into the 2030s.

DAE said the transaction strengthens its relationships with Airbus and Boeing while enhancing its ability to provide fleet solutions throughout the aircraft lifecycle. The company noted that the enlarged orderbook will provide greater flexibility to support airline fleet renewal and growth requirements over the coming decade.

Originally announced in February 2026, the acquisition positions DAE as the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor by both fleet value and the number of owned and managed aircraft. The company added that the transaction expands its airline customer base while complementing its recently announced fleet financing initiatives with Blackstone and Neuberger.