Aircraft leasing giant AerCap Holdings N.V. has reported a busy third quarter of 2026, completing 204 asset transactions across its aircraft, engine and helicopter portfolios while continuing an aggressive share buyback programme. The Dublin-headquartered lessor announced that between July and September it signed 85 lease agreements, completed 34 asset purchases and closed 85 sale transactions, underlining continued demand for aviation assets despite ongoing supply chain constraints affecting aircraft manufacturers.
AerCap’s leasing activity included agreements covering 16 widebody aircraft, 45 narrowbody aircraft, 13 engines and 11 helicopters.
On the acquisition side, the company completed the purchase of 32 aircraft and two helicopters, including eight Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, two Boeing 787-9s and two Embraer E195-E2s for its owned portfolio.
The quarter also saw significant asset disposals, with AerCap completing 85 sale transactions involving 65 aircraft, 13 engines and seven helicopters. Aircraft sold included Airbus A320-family and A350 models, Boeing 737NGs and 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing 767 freighters, Boeing 777-200ERs and Embraer regional jets.
Alongside its fleet activity, AerCap signed financing transactions worth approximately $900 million, providing additional support for its ongoing portfolio management and growth strategy.
The company also continued returning capital to shareholders, repurchasing 5.3 million shares during the quarter at an average price of $147.12 per share, for a total investment of approximately $783 million. AerCap additionally declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share.
As the world’s largest aviation lessor, AerCap serves around 300 customers worldwide and maintains one of the industry’s largest aircraft order books. The company is headquartered in Dublin and operates additional offices in Shannon, Miami, Memphis, London, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Amsterdam and other locations.
