Dubai,   United Arab Emirates : Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Limited announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Macquarie Airfinance Limited (“MAF”) for a total value of approximately US$7 billion.

Upon completion of the acquisition, the company will have an initial fleet of 1,029 owned, managed, and committed aircraft, serving 191 customers in 79 countries. Narrow-body aircraft will represent approximately 70% of the combined fleet. The deal is expected to add 37 new airlines to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's customer portfolio, expanding its reach to seven new countries.

The deal will be financed in a disciplined manner through a mix of debt and equity, maintaining and supporting Dubai Aerospace Enterprise’s current credit ratings, given the strong growth the company has experienced over the past 18 months.

Khalifa Al Daboos, Managing Director of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise , said: “This transaction represents an important strategic milestone in strengthening Dubai Aerospace Enterprise’s position among the elite aircraft leasing companies globally. It also confirms our continued disciplined financial approach of acquiring high-quality platforms and fleets that add qualitative value to our business, enhance our competitive presence, and deliver sustainable and rewarding returns for our shareholders.”

Firoz Tarapore, CEO of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) , said: “The acquisition of Macquarie Airfinance’s fleet and expertise is a strategic move that enhances DAE’s operational reach, expands its global presence, and solidifies its position as a larger, more diversified, and more robust aircraft leasing company in terms of capital base. This expansion, along with our strengthened order book, enhances our ability to serve a wider range of customers with competitive solutions supported by greater operational and financial efficiency. Our advanced corporate platform is well-positioned to accommodate this transaction, which, upon completion, is expected to more than double the size of the company’s fleet compared to the end of 2024.”

The Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) board of directors has approved the transaction. It is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Allen Overy Sherman Sterling and KPMG advised Dubai Aerospace Enterprise on this deal.

About Dubai Aerospace Enterprise

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is a global aviation services company operating through two divisions: DAE Capital (aircraft leasing) and DAE Engineering (engineering). Headquartered in Dubai, the company serves over 200 airline customers in more than 80 countries from its locations in Dubai, Dublin, Limerick, Amman, Singapore, Miami, and Seattle.

The company’s award-winning aircraft leasing division, DAE Capital, has a fleet of approximately 700 aircraft, including owned, managed, on order, and commissioned aircraft from Airbus, ATR, and Boeing, valued at $25 billion. Meanwhile, the company’s engineering division, DAE Engineering, provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to clients in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia from its state-of-the-art facility in Amman, Jordan, which can accommodate up to 24 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. The company is certified to work on 16 aircraft models and holds approvals from more than 30 global regulatory bodies.

More information is available on the company's website: www.dubaiaerospace.com

-I finish-

#Company Data

For more information, please contact:

Disclaimer regarding the content of press releases
The content of this press release is provided by a third-party provider. We do not assume any responsibility for, nor do we have any control over, such content. This content is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and is not edited in any way. Neither we, nor our affiliates, will be liable for the accuracy, endorsement, or completeness of any opinions, views, information, or materials contained in this content.
This press release is provided for informational purposes only; the content does not constitute legal, investment, or tax advice, nor does it offer any opinion on the suitability, value, or profitability of any particular portfolio or investment strategy. Neither we nor our affiliates will be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions you take based on that content. You expressly agree and acknowledge full responsibility for your use of the information contained in this press release.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Refinitiv, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, relevant shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers, and licensors (collectively, the 'Refinitiv Parties') shall not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages; This includes, but is not limited to, losses of profits, savings, or revenues, whether due to negligence, tort, contract, or other theories of liability, even if the parties to Refinitiv were advised of the possibility of any such damages or losses occurring or actually anticipated them.