Emirates Secures 12-Year Shariah-Compliant French Lease Financing for Two A350-900 Aircraft

Emirates has completed a 12-year Shariah-compliant French lease financing transaction covering two new Airbus A350-900 aircraft acquired in 2026, in partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking.

The transaction combines a traditional French lease structure with Islamic financing principles, integrating two frameworks typically arranged separately into a single aircraft financing arrangement.

Dubai Islamic Bank and Natixis CIB served as Islamic financiers and arrangers, with DIB also acting as Shariah structurer to ensure the financing complied with Islamic law requirements.

The structure provides Emirates with an alternative source of long-term aircraft funding while supporting its ongoing fleet expansion and diversification of financing arrangements.

The transaction also establishes a potential framework for future cross-border aircraft financings combining French lease structures with Shariah-compliant funding.

Emirates said the arrangement forms part of its broader strategy to access diversified capital sources and develop financing solutions for new aircraft deliveries.

The parties did not disclose the financing amount, aircraft serial numbers or other financial terms of the transaction.