Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd, a key player in global aviation services, has finished 2025 on a high note with extensive transactions, fleet enhancement, and consistent financial growth, showcasing its increasing impact in the worldwide aviation industry.
Throughout the year, DAE Capital made a groundbreaking step by concluding the US$2.0 billion acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital, a pivotal move that bolstered DAE’s aircraft collection and solidified its status among the top aircraft lessors globally.
In 2025, DAE Capital acquired a total of 280 aircraft, comprising 261 owned and 19 managed assets. Concurrently, the company was active in portfolio optimization, selling 112 aircraft, including 95 owned and 17 managed units. Leasing operations thrived, with 273 lease agreements, extensions, and amendments executed across its fleet.
Several noteworthy transactions boosted DAE's momentum further. The company secured a long-term sale and leaseback agreement with United Airlines for 10 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Additionally, it arranged long-term leases for 10 Boeing 737-8 aircraft with AJet and accomplished a US$610 million aircraft ABS transaction for a DAE-managed asset client.
DAE Engineering also had a productive year, logging over 1.8 million man-hours and conducting more than 320 aircraft checks. The division served over 60 airline clients from more than 30 countries across five continents. An expanded capability was achieved with the launch of a new five-bay hangar, enhancing overall capacity by 30 percent.
On a group level, DAE strengthened its financial position by securing US$3.9 billion in debt financing, with a weighted average maturity of 5.3 years. The company also made its entry into the sukuk market with a US$650 million five-year benchmark issuance and was assigned a Positive Outlook by KBRA, underscoring confidence in its creditworthiness.
With robust fleet expansion, proactive capital market engagement, and heightened engineering capabilities, DAE’s performance in 2025 illustrates a year marked by effective execution and strategic growth across its essential aviation segments.
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