Dubai Aerospace Enterprise will acquire Macquarie AirFinance for $7 billion, creating a combined fleet of over 1,000 aircraft and expanding its global airline customer base. The deal aims to strengthen DAE’s scale, diversification, and competitive offerings across 79 countries.

Dubai Aerospace to acquire aircraft leasing firm Macquarie AirFinance for $7 billion

February 26, 2026

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Macquarie Group logo is seen outside their headquarters in Sydney, Australia, May 9, 2025.

Hollie Adams/Reuterss

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) said on Thursday it has agreed to acquire aircraft leasing firm Macquarie AirFinance at an enterprise value of about $7 billion.

The deal will create a combined fleet of 1,029 owned, managed and committed aircraft serving 191 airline customers across 79 countries, with narrowbody jets making up roughly 70% of the portfolio, DAE said in a statement.

Macquarie Asset Management acknowledged the deal in a separate statement.

The acquisition will add 37 new airline customers to DAE's roster, including carriers in seven countries where the Dubai state-owned lessor currently has no presence.

DAE CEO, Firoz Tarapore said the deal would create a "bigger, stronger, more diversified and well-capitalised" company, adding that the combined entity's scale would support more competitive pricingand a broader customer offering.

The deal has been approved by DAE's board and is subject to regulatory approvals. It is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

-Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru and Hadeel Al Sayegh in United Arab Emirates; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Mrigank Dhaniwala/Reuters