DAE Capital, a leading Dubai-based aircraft lessor, is closing in on a deal to buy control of leasing platform Macquarie AirFinance, a Reuters report said quoting two industry sources.

The two firms did not immediately respond to a request for comment, the report noted.

In January, Reuters reported that DAE was among the final contenders for the Macquarie aircraft leasing assets, alongside Saudi Arabia's AviLease and Qatar's Lesha Bank.

Industry observers say the sale opportunity has emerged as global airline demand for aircraft rises sharply — outstripping production capacity at Boeing and Airbus — creating attractive market conditions for aircraft lessors and premium valuations for sellers.

If completed, the acquisition would further expand DAE Capital’s footprint in the global aircraft leasing market, following previous strategic moves by the company.

Who is DAE Capital?

DAE Capital is the aircraft leasing and finance arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), a global aviation services company headquartered in Dubai.

DAE Capital has built a substantial international leasing business with a portfolio valued at around $25 billion, serving over 150 airlines across more than 70 countries.

The company’s owned fleet includes a broad mix of modern passenger aircraft — from Airbus A320neo family jets to Boeing 787 Dreamliners — tailored to meet airlines’ fleet strategies worldwide.

It has grown through both organic fleet expansion and strategic acquisitions. In 2017, DAE Capital acquired aviation leasing company AWAS, significantly boosting its global scale.

With offices across major aviation hubs including Dubai, Dublin, Miami, Singapore and Seattle, DAE Capital is positioned to support diverse airline customers.

Who is Macquarie AirFinance?

Macquarie AirFinance is a global aircraft leasing platform originally established in 2006 and widely recognised in the aviation finance sector for providing aircraft and capital solutions to airlines around the world.

The firm purchases commercial jet aircraft and leases them to airlines and operators, helping carriers expand or modernise fleets without substantial upfront capital outlays.

It owns or manages several hundred aircraft leased to operators across multiple continents, with offices in Dublin, London, San Francisco and Singapore.

The business is jointly owned by Macquarie Asset Management (50%), PGGM Infrastructure Fund (25%) and Australian Retirement Trust (25%). -TradeArabia News Service