Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd has completed its acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries, strengthening its position among the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies.
The Dubai-based aviation services company confirmed on Wednesday that it had acquired 100 percent of Macquarie AirFinance’s outstanding share capital.
The transaction has an enterprise value of approximately $9 billion, including changes to Macquarie AirFinance’s fleet between the initial announcement and the completion of the deal.
Following the acquisition, DAE’s portfolio has expanded to approximately 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft. Its owned and managed aircraft are leased to more than 175 airlines across over 75 countries.
DAE also has commitments to acquire around 150 additional aircraft from Boeing, Airbus, ATR and other aviation trading partners.
Firoz Tarapore, Chief Executive Officer of DAE, described the completion of the acquisition as an important milestone in the company’s growth strategy.
“With a track record of successful transformational acquisitions, the closing of MAF marks another milestone on our journey,” Tarapore said.
He added that DAE is now the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor based on both fleet value and the number of owned and managed aircraft.
Tarapore said the deal would also strengthen DAE’s long-standing relationships with aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus.
The company’s aircraft delivery slots now extend into the 2030s, providing greater flexibility to meet the future fleet requirements of airline customers.
The acquisition was first announced in February 2026. DAE was advised on the transaction by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP and KPMG.
