Top 10 Aircraft Leasing Companies in Ireland in 2026
Explore 10 leading aircraft leasing companies with Irish operations, including AerCap, Avolon and SMBC, plus their services and fleet financing focus.
Top 10 Aircraft Leasing Companies in Ireland
Ireland is home to some of the most influential businesses in aircraft leasing. For airlines planning fleet renewal, expansion or a sale-and-leaseback transaction, Dublin is a major center for aircraft ownership, financing and asset management.
According to Aircraft Leasing Ireland, more than 64% of the world’s leased aircraft are managed from Ireland. The market includes Irish-headquartered lessors and international groups operating through Irish offices and companies.
How this top 10 was selected
This is ACMIWorld’s editorial selection of prominent aircraft leasing businesses with an established Irish presence, based on their industry scale, leasing activities and relevance to airline fleet transactions. The numbering is not a ranking by fleet size, price or service quality.
These businesses primarily serve aircraft ownership, operating lease and financing requirements. An ACMI requirement, where aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance are supplied together, involves a different operating proposition.
1. AerCap
AerCap describes itself as the world’s largest owner of commercial aircraft, engines and helicopters. Its business extends across passenger aircraft, cargo, engines and other aviation assets, giving it a broad role in airline fleet planning.
Its published portfolio lists approximately 1,589 aircraft as of June 30, 2026, alongside a substantial aircraft order book. Those figures should be read using AerCap’s own portfolio definitions.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: The breadth of its asset base makes AerCap relevant to airlines evaluating long-term fleet requirements across multiple aircraft categories.
2. Avolon
Avolon provides aircraft leasing, lease management and aircraft trading services. Its investment strategy emphasizes young, modern, fuel-efficient aircraft leased to airlines worldwide.
In its second-quarter 2026 business update, Avolon reported an owned, managed and committed fleet of 1,117 aircraft, serving 138 airlines in 60 countries as of June 30, 2026.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: Avolon combines a substantial fleet pipeline with leasing and trading capabilities, making it relevant to fleet renewal, growth and aircraft investment transactions.
3. SMBC Aviation Capital
SMBC Aviation Capital is a major aircraft leasing and trading business supported by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corporation. Young commercial jet aircraft are central to its portfolio.
Its May 2026 results announcement described a platform of approximately 1,700 owned, serviced and committed aircraft following the Sumisho Air Lease transaction. This includes serviced assets and commitments, rather than solely aircraft owned by SMBC Aviation Capital.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: Its aircraft pipeline, shareholder backing and servicing business make it an important counterparty for airlines considering substantial fleet programs.
4. DAE Capital
DAE Capital is the aircraft leasing division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. The group is headquartered in Dubai and maintains operations in Dublin as part of its international office network.
Following its completed acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance in July 2026, DAE reported approximately 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft. Its owned and managed fleet served more than 175 airlines across over 75 countries.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: DAE’s expanded leasing platform gives it considerable reach across airline markets. Macquarie AirFinance is therefore considered within DAE here, rather than listed as an independent group.
5. BOC Aviation
BOC Aviation is headquartered in Singapore, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and supported by controlling shareholder Bank of China. Dublin is one of its international office locations.
Its aircraft investment approach emphasizes demand assessment, fleet composition and engagement with airlines and manufacturers. That makes its Irish presence part of a broader global leasing operation.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: BOC Aviation is relevant to airlines seeking a large international operating lessor with a disciplined aircraft purchasing strategy and established funding relationships.
6. CDB Aviation
CDB Aviation is a global aircraft leasing business owned by China Development Bank Financial Leasing. Its Dublin headquarters connects an international commercial team with its Chinese parent group.
The company combines aircraft leasing with financing solutions and access to an order book of modern aircraft. Its business serves airlines across international markets, rather than being limited to Chinese operators.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: CDB Aviation offers an established Irish leasing platform backed by a major Chinese financial leasing group, with relevance to fleet modernization and airline expansion.
7. Aviation Capital Group
Aviation Capital Group, or ACG, provides commercial aircraft leasing, aircraft financing solutions and asset management services. Its Irish business operates through ACG Aircraft Leasing Ireland Limited.
In a June 2026 company announcement, ACG reported approximately 500 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2026, with aircraft leased to roughly 90 airlines in approximately 50 countries.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: Its combination of leasing, financing and third-party asset management makes ACG relevant to both airline customers and aircraft investors.
8. Aircastle
Aircastle acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. Its business includes an established Dublin office alongside its other international operations.
The company’s ownership and company overview identifies Marubeni and Mizuho Leasing as its shareholders, connecting its aircraft leasing platform with major Japanese corporate and financial groups.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: Aircastle is an established counterparty for commercial aircraft leasing and trading, with an Irish presence that places it within Dublin’s aviation finance market.
9. ORIX Aviation
ORIX Aviation was established in Ireland in 1991. Its activities include aircraft ownership, joint ventures, asset management, remarketing and strategic aviation investments.
Its business also encompasses Japanese Operating Lease structures and managed aircraft. ORIX Aviation owns 30% of Avolon, while maintaining its own distinct aircraft leasing and asset management platform.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: ORIX Aviation is particularly relevant where a transaction combines aircraft leasing with investor participation, portfolio management or remarketing requirements.
10. Griffin Global Asset Management
Griffin Global Asset Management is an aviation leasing and asset management platform with a Dublin presence. Its partnership with Bain Capital Credit brings together aviation expertise and investment capital.
Griffin identifies new aircraft positions, sale-and-leaseback transactions, non-traditional financing and end-of-life solutions among the requirements its capital structure can support.
Why it belongs on the shortlist: Griffin adds a different financing profile to the list, particularly for airlines exploring tailored fleet transactions alongside conventional operating leases.
Fleet figures need to be compared carefully
An owned fleet, a managed portfolio and an order book measure different things. Figures above retain each company’s reporting date and terminology. They should not be combined into a like-for-like fleet ranking.
Ownership links also matter. ORIX Aviation and Avolon operate distinct platforms but are connected through shareholding. SMBC Aviation Capital’s reported platform includes aircraft it services for other owners.
How to Choose an Aircraft Leasing Company in Ireland
A recognizable name is a starting point. The useful shortlist is the one that matches the airline’s aircraft requirement, delivery window, credit profile and proposed lease structure.
- Specify the aircraft: Include type, engine variant, seating configuration, acceptable age and delivery condition.
- Define the transaction: State whether you need an operating lease, a sale-and-leaseback, aircraft financing or a portfolio transaction.
- Make the timing realistic: Give a required delivery window and identify any flexibility on aircraft specification or entry into service.
- Prepare the credit package: Provide ownership information, financial statements, operating history and a credible business plan.
- Compare the complete economics: Review deposits, maintenance reserves, escalation, delivery costs and return conditions alongside monthly rent.
A lower headline rental can be offset by more demanding maintenance or redelivery obligations. Commercial and technical teams should evaluate the same proposed aircraft before terms are finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all these aircraft leasing companies Irish-owned?
No. The list includes Irish-headquartered businesses and international lessors with Irish operations. Headquarters, incorporation and shareholder ownership are separate considerations.
Which is the largest aircraft leasing company on this list?
AerCap describes itself as the world’s largest owner of commercial aircraft, engines and helicopters. Comparisons across lessors depend on whether the measure is aircraft ownership, asset value, managed aircraft or future commitments.
Do these companies provide aircraft with crew?
Their principal role is aircraft leasing, ownership and financing. A conventional dry lease supplies the aircraft, while the airline arranges its operation. For aircraft supplied with crew, maintenance and insurance, specify an ACMI requirement and seek an appropriate operating provider.
Can a startup airline approach a major lessor?
Yes, but acceptance depends on the individual lessor’s assessment. A startup should be ready to demonstrate committed funding, experienced management, its operating approval timetable and the ability to meet lease obligations. Published fleet size does not indicate appetite for a particular applicant.
Does a large fleet mean aircraft are immediately available?
No. Aircraft may already be on long-term leases, committed to customers or awaiting delivery. Availability must be checked for the required specification, location and date.
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