Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has completed its acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance (MAF), a transaction valued at approximately US$9 billion, creating one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing businesses and further highlighting Ireland’s strategic importance in the global aviation finance sector.
The deal sees DAE acquire 100% of the outstanding share capital of Macquarie AirFinance and its subsidiaries. The transaction had originally been unveiled in February 2026 and has now officially closed following the necessary approvals and completion processes.
The acquisition significantly expands DAE’s scale. The company now manages an aviation portfolio of approximately 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft. Its fleet is leased to more than 175 airlines across over 75 countries, while it also holds commitments for around 150 additional aircraft from Boeing, Airbus, ATR and trading counterparties.
According to DAE Chief Executive Officer Firoz Tarapore, the acquisition represents another milestone in the company’s growth strategy and elevates DAE to become the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor by both fleet value and the number of owned and managed aircraft.
Tarapore noted that the enlarged business will provide enhanced fleet solutions for airline customers and strengthen existing relationships with major manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. He also highlighted that DAE’s orderbook now extends into the 2030s, providing additional flexibility to support airline fleet renewal and expansion requirements.
While DAE is headquartered in Dubai, the company maintains a significant presence in Ireland, one of the world’s leading centres for aircraft leasing and aviation finance. DAE lists Dublin among its eight global office locations, alongside Dubai, London, Amman, Singapore, Miami, Seattle and San Francisco.
The completion of such a major aircraft leasing transaction is another reminder of Ireland’s continuing influence in the global aviation industry. Dublin remains home to many of the world’s leading leasing companies, financial institutions and aviation service providers, making it a key hub for transactions of this scale.
The acquisition comes at a time when airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft remains strong, while supply chain challenges continue to constrain new aircraft deliveries. In this environment, large lessors such as DAE play an increasingly important role in helping airlines access aircraft and manage fleet growth.
The combined DAE-MAF platform now controls one of the industry’s largest aircraft portfolios, with an estimated fleet value of approximately US$35 billion. The enhanced scale is expected to strengthen DAE’s competitive position as airlines seek flexible leasing solutions over the coming decade.
