> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.acmiworld.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Top 20 Aircraft Leasing Companies in 2026, Ranked - URL: https://www.acmiworld.com/top-20-aircraft-leasing-companies-in-2026-ranked/ - Published: 2026-10-19T18:05:54.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T18:05:54.000Z - Description: Ranked: the top 20 aircraft leasing companies in 2026, from AerCap, SMBC Aviation Capital, DAE and Avolon to BOC Aviation, BBAM and ACG. Compare fleet sizes, owners and 2026 deals, plus what airlines should check before signing a dry lease. - Author: ACMI World ## Who Owns the World's Airline Fleets? The 20 Aircraft Lessors That Matter in 2026 Airlines lean on lessors for a large share of their fleets, and 2026 has reshaped who those lessors are. Air Lease Corporation disappeared into a Sumitomo-led consortium in April, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise swallowed Macquarie AirFinance in July, and the largest lessors are now ordering aircraft for delivery in the 2030s because there is nothing left to buy sooner. AerCap's chief executive Aengus Kelly told investors in July that [aircraft and engine availability remained constrained, with demand still running above supply](https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/aercap-q2-earnings-call-highlights-2026-07-29/?ref=acmiworld.com). This ranking covers **the 20 most important aircraft leasing companies in 2026**, from global platforms such as AerCap and SMBC down to the regional specialists that keep turboprops flying on thin routes. Unlike our [ACMI provider rankings](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-cargo-acmi-providers-in-2026-freighter-wet-lease-operators/), these companies do not supply crew or operate flights. They own the aircraft and lease them to airlines, usually on long-term dry operating leases. If you need the Irish market specifically, see our [ranking of aircraft lessors in Ireland](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-aircraft-leasing-companies-in-ireland-in-2026/). Lessors were assessed on the size of their owned, managed and committed fleets, the quality of their order books, their funding strength and their deal activity in 2026\. Fleet figures are taken from each company's most recent public disclosure. **Largest lessor** AerCap, with about 1,600 owned and managed aircraft **Deals of the year** Air Lease to SMBC and partners (US$7.4bn equity) and Macquarie AirFinance to DAE (US$9bn) **Key constraint** New aircraft delivery slots, now stretching into the early 2030s ### The top 20 aircraft leasing companies 1 ### [AerCap](https://www.aercap.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 1,461 owned, 128 managed, 379 on order | Dublin, Ireland · NYSE: AER AerCap is the largest aircraft lessor in the world by a wide margin. At 30 June 2026 its [portfolio held 3,567 aircraft, engines and helicopters](https://www.aercap.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/643/aercap-holdings-n-v-reports-strong-financial-results-for?ref=acmiworld.com) owned, managed or on order, and the company raised its full-year guidance after a second quarter in which it sold US$1.4 billion of assets at a 20% gain-on-sale margin. It is also the dominant widebody lessor. In July it ordered 15 more Boeing 787s for delivery from 2030 to 2033, and management said AerCap now has both the largest 787 fleet and the largest 787 order book of any lessor. Its engine arm, ranked first in our [spare engine lessor ranking](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-spare-engine-leasing-companies-in-2026/), and its helicopter business mean few airlines need to look elsewhere for a single asset type. **Best suited to:** airlines that want one counterparty across narrowbodies, widebodies, engines and freighters, and carriers needing 787 or A350 capacity. 2 ### [SMBC Aviation Capital](https://smbc.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) About 1,700 owned, serviced and committed aircraft | Dublin, Ireland · SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation SMBC Aviation Capital had the most transformative year of any lessor. On 8 April 2026, it closed the acquisition of Air Lease Corporation together with Sumitomo Corporation, Apollo and Brookfield, renaming the business [Sumisho Air Lease](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408078834/en/Sumitomo-Corporation-SMBC-Aviation-Capital-Apollo-and-Brookfield-Complete-the-Acquisition-of-Air-Lease-Corporation?ref=acmiworld.com). SMBC services most of that portfolio, which lifts the fleet it owns, services or has committed to more than 1,700 aircraft across over 170 airlines. Its combined order book stood at about 430 aircraft after the deal, and it kept buying. At Farnborough in July it placed orders for [100 Boeing 737 MAX and 100 Airbus A320neo-family jets](https://avitrader.com/?p=114010&ref=acmiworld.com). Its [financial year results](https://smbc.aero/node/1816?ref=acmiworld.com) show new-technology aircraft making up 80% of its owned fleet by value. **Best suited to:** airlines seeking new A320neo, A321neo and 737 MAX deliveries, large sale-and-leaseback programmes, and a counterparty with Japanese megabank funding. 3 ### [DAE Capital](https://dubaiaerospace.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) About 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft | Dubai, UAE · Dubai Aerospace Enterprise DAE completed its US$9.0 billion acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance on 29 July 2026, and now says it is [the third-largest lessor in the world](https://dubaiaerospace.com/2026/07/29/dae-closes-acquisition-of-maf/?ref=acmiworld.com) by both fleet value and number of owned and managed aircraft. The enlarged fleet, worth about US$35 billion, is on lease to more than 175 airlines in over 75 countries. The deal followed DAE's purchase of Nordic Aviation Capital in 2025, which added a large portfolio of ATR turboprops and regional jets. It also holds about 150 aircraft on order from Boeing, Airbus and ATR, and runs its own MRO business, DAE Engineering, in Amman. **Best suited to:** Middle East, African and Asian carriers, airlines needing ATR turboprops alongside jets, and operators that value an in-house maintenance partner. 4 ### [Avolon](https://www.avolon.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) 1,117 owned, managed and committed aircraft | Dublin, Ireland · Bohai Leasing and ORIX Avolon has grown from nothing to more than 1,100 aircraft in 16 years and is one of the industry's most active traders. At 30 June 2026, it had an [owned, managed and committed fleet of 1,117 aircraft](https://avolon.aero/news/q2-income-results-2026?ref=acmiworld.com) with 138 airlines in 60 countries, and second-quarter net income rose 45% to US$209 million. The order book is the real asset: 503 aircraft committed, with 80% of them already placed with airlines through 2028\. S&P upgraded Avolon to BBB in the second quarter, matching its Moody's and Fitch ratings. ORIX Aviation, ranked 15th below, owns 30% of the company. **Best suited to:** airlines needing new-technology narrowbodies and A330neos, and carriers that want a lessor able to buy and sell portfolios quickly. 5 ### [BOC Aviation](https://www.bocaviation.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 811 aircraft and engines owned, managed and on order | Singapore · HKEX: 2588 · Bank of China BOC Aviation runs one of the youngest and most fully utilised fleets in the business. Its [first-half 2026 results](https://avitrader.com/2026/08/20/boc-posts-increased-first-half-profit/?ref=acmiworld.com) showed record net profit of US$357 million, 100% owned aircraft utilisation, 99.2% cash collection and an average fleet age of five years. It has 320 aircraft on order for delivery through 2032 and serves 88 airlines in 45 countries and regions. Its Bank of China parent gives it deep, low-cost funding, which supports large purchase-and-leaseback deals such as its recent agreement for 12 A320neos with Avianca. **Best suited to:** airlines that want very young aircraft on long leases, and carriers looking for a well-funded sale-and-leaseback partner. 6 ### [BBAM](https://www.bbam.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 500+ aircraft under management | San Francisco, United States · aircraft investment manager BBAM is the largest pure aircraft manager, leasing and servicing aircraft on behalf of investors rather than holding them on its own balance sheet. It reports [more than US$21 billion in aviation assets under management](https://www.bbam.com/partners/?ref=acmiworld.com) and has worked with airlines in every leasing cycle since 1989\. Its third flagship fund, Incline Aviation III, closed in 2026 with more than US$1.7 billion of commitments, and at Farnborough it agreed to buy [30 CFM LEAP spare engines](https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/bbam-expands-engine-portfolio-agreement-acquire-30-cfm-leap-spare-engines?ref=acmiworld.com). Our ranking of [aircraft asset management companies](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-aircraft-asset-management-companies-in-2026/) covers how managers like BBAM differ from balance-sheet lessors. **Best suited to:** airlines seeking sale-and-leaseback on mid-life and new aircraft, and investors looking for a manager to run an aircraft portfolio. 7 ### [Aviation Capital Group (ACG)](https://www.aviationcapitalgroup.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 504 owned, managed and committed aircraft | Newport Beach, United States · Tokyo Century ACG made the biggest order in its history this month. On 16 October 2026 it signed with Airbus for [75 A320neo-family aircraft](https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-10-aviation-capital-group-orders-75-airbus-a320neo-family-aircraft?ref=acmiworld.com) for delivery between 2032 and 2035, on top of a January order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets. We covered the deal in our [17 October news brief](https://www.acmiworld.com/acmi-news-today-sundairs-737-wet-leases-acgs-75-jet-airbus-order-lufthansa-buys-into-tap-october-17-2026/). At 30 June 2026, ACG had [504 owned, managed and committed aircraft](https://www.airdatanews.com/airbus-wins-order-for-75-a320neo-family-jets-despite-years-long-delivery-backlog/?ref=acmiworld.com), and recent placements include 13 737-10s with WestJet and seven with Skymark. It is a subsidiary of Japan's Tokyo Century. **Best suited to:** airlines planning narrowbody growth into the 2030s, and carriers that want 737-10 or A321neo positions they cannot get directly from the manufacturers. 8 ### [CDB Aviation](https://www.cdbaviation.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) 315 owned aircraft, 166 committed | Dublin, Ireland · CDB Leasing (HKEX: 1606) CDB Aviation is the Irish arm of China Development Bank Financial Leasing and one of the best-rated lessors in the market, after [Moody's upgraded it to A1](https://www.cdbaviation.aero/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CDB%5FAviation%5FKey%5FFacts%5FFigures%5FDecember%5F31%5F2025%5FApr-2026-update.pdf?ref=acmiworld.com) in March 2026\. At 30 June 2026 it had [488 owned and committed assets](https://www.cdbaviation.aero/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CDB%5FAviation%5FKey%5FFacts%5FFigures%5FJune%5F30%5F2026%5FSept-2026-update.pdf?ref=acmiworld.com), including 315 aircraft and US$13.1 billion of owned aircraft by book value. Its fleet is mostly A320neo-family and 737 MAX aircraft, with A330neos, A350s and A330P2F freighters on the widebody side. Recent placements include A321neos to LATAM and 737-8s to WestJet and Ethiopian Airlines. **Best suited to:** airlines that want a highly rated counterparty, and carriers sourcing A320neo-family or 737 MAX aircraft outside China. 9 ### [ICBC Aviation Leasing](https://www.linkedin.com/company/icbc-aviation-leasing?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus, Boeing and COMAC aircraft | Hong Kong · ICBC Leasing ICBC Aviation Leasing is the aircraft arm of ICBC Leasing, which is wholly owned by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Set up in Hong Kong in 2018 with US$1.2 billion of capital, it says its [fleet value ranks first among Chinese lessors and sixth globally](https://www.linkedin.com/company/icbc-aviation-leasing?ref=acmiworld.com). It offers operating leases, finance leases and sale-and-leaseback, and is expanding beyond Chinese carriers into Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Uzbekistan Airways, for example, signed to take [two A321neos from ICBC](https://daryo.uz/en/2025/11/19/uzbekistan-airways-to-lease-two-airbus-jets-from-chinas-icbc-aviation-leasing/?ref=acmiworld.com) for delivery in 2027 and 2028\. **Best suited to:** Chinese and Belt and Road carriers, airlines considering COMAC aircraft, and finance lease structures backed by a state bank. 10 ### [Carlyle Aviation Partners](https://www.carlyle.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) 347 aircraft owned or managed | Three offices worldwide · The Carlyle Group Carlyle Aviation Partners is the aviation investment arm of Carlyle's global credit business. It reports [US$12.5 billion of aviation assets under management and 347 aircraft](https://www.carlyle.aero/node/166?ref=acmiworld.com) owned or managed as of March 2026, with 120 airline relationships in 55 countries. It works across the lifecycle, from pre-delivery payment and new delivery financing to mid-life leasing and engines, and it owns Fly Leasing. It also funds aircraft through its AASET securitisation trusts, which lets it recycle capital into new deals quickly. **Best suited to:** airlines needing pre-delivery payment finance, sale-and-leaseback on mid-life aircraft, and flexible structures that bank-owned lessors avoid. 11 ### [Jackson Square Aviation](https://jsa.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 344 owned, committed and managed aircraft | 64 airlines in 34 countries · Mitsubishi HC Capital Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) is the aircraft leasing arm of Japan's Mitsubishi HC Capital. As of 31 March 2026 it owned [247 aircraft with an average age of 5.7 years](https://jsa.com/jackson-square-aviation-delivers-disciplined-growth-and-strategic-progress-in-fiscal-year-2025/?ref=acmiworld.com) and a fleet value of about US$11.5 billion, split almost evenly between the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. JSA is now building its first direct order book. At Farnborough in July it selected both [CFM LEAP-1A engines](https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/jackson-square-aviation-selects-cfm-leap-1a-engines-power-airbus-a320neo-family?ref=acmiworld.com) and Pratt & Whitney GTFs for its A320neo-family aircraft, and it has recently delivered A220-300s to Breeze and A321neos to VietJet. **Best suited to:** airlines wanting young narrowbodies on long leases, and carriers that prefer a mid-sized lessor with Japanese balance sheet support. 12 ### [Aircastle](https://www.aircastle.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 274 owned, 5 managed | Stamford, United States · privately held Aircastle has spent the past two years rotating out of older aircraft and into new-technology narrowbodies. At 31 May 2026, it [owned 274 aircraft worth US$8.4 billion](https://static.aircastle.com/docs/AYRQ12026EarningsRelease.pdf?ref=acmiworld.com) and managed five more, on lease to 72 airlines in 43 countries, with new-technology aircraft making up 52% of fleet value. Its balance sheet is almost entirely unencumbered, and in the quarter it raised US$1 billion of new unsecured financing. Recent placements include six A320neos with Icelandair. That flexibility makes it a natural buyer of aircraft in sale-and-leaseback deals. **Best suited to:** airlines seeking sale-and-leaseback or lease extensions on current-generation aircraft, and carriers moving gradually to A320neo and 737 MAX fleets. 13 ### [BOCOM Leasing](https://www.bocommleasing.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Close to 270 aircraft | Shanghai, China · Bank of Communications Bank of Communications Financial Leasing is one of China's first five bank-owned leasing companies and runs one of the country's largest aircraft and ship leasing books. The company says its fleet includes [close to 270 aircraft and that its aircraft assets rank 11th worldwide](https://www.bocommleasing.com/ywb/index.html?ref=acmiworld.com). Aviation and shipping make up most of its leasing assets, and its aircraft book is weighted towards Chinese carriers. It was also the first Chinese lessor to deliver an aircraft flown on sustainable aviation fuel, an A320neo for China Eastern. **Best suited to:** Chinese airlines, finance leases on new narrowbodies, and carriers looking for state-bank funding at scale. 14 ### [Castlelake](https://www.castlelake.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 250+ owned and managed assets | Minneapolis, United States · alternative investment manager Castlelake is one of the most active private fund investors in mid-life aircraft. It has invested more than US$22 billion in aviation, and its 2026 securitisation, [CLAS 2026-1](https://investor.wedbush.com/wedbush/article/bizwire-2026-2-9-kbra-assigns-preliminary-ratings-to-castlelake-aircraft-structured-trust-2026-1?ref=acmiworld.com), bought a US$1 billion portfolio of 37 aircraft on lease to 31 airlines. It sold its young-aircraft leasing arm to Avolon in 2025 and much of its activity is now in older aircraft and secured lending, including a US$740 million term loan for Abra, the majority investor behind GOL and Avianca. Mid-life aircraft it cannot re-lease often end up in the [teardown and part-out market](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-aircraft-teardown-and-part-out-companies-2026/), which supports the values it pays. **Best suited to:** airlines with weaker credit, carriers seeking secured loans against their fleets, and lease deals on 10 to 20 year old aircraft. 15 ### [ORIX Aviation](https://www.orix.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) 230+ owned and managed aircraft | Dublin, Ireland · ORIX Corporation ORIX Aviation is one of the oldest lessors in Dublin, founded in 1991, and a 30% shareholder in Avolon. As of 31 March 2026 it [owned and managed more than 230 aircraft](https://aviationweek.com/mro/supply-chain/japans-orix-acquire-aerfin-aftermarket-expansion?ref=acmiworld.com) leased to over 60 airlines in more than 40 countries. It is moving into the aftermarket. In August it agreed to buy AerFin, the UK engine and parts specialist, in a deal expected to close by the end of 2026\. ORIX also manages aircraft for Japanese operating lease investors, a structure covered in our guide to [JOLCO arrangers](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-jolco-arrangers-in-2026-banks-and-structurers-behind-japanese-operating-leases/). **Best suited to:** airlines open to JOL and JOLCO financing, and lessees that want lease, engine and parts support from one group. 16 ### [AviLease](https://avilease.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 202 owned and managed aircraft | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Public Investment Fund AviLease is the fastest-growing new lessor of the decade. Launched by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2022, it had [202 owned and managed aircraft at the end of 2025](https://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8876V%5F1-2026-3-9.pdf?ref=acmiworld.com) and reported first-half 2026 revenue of US$391 million, up 24%. It now has direct orders with both manufacturers, including A320neo-family jets, 737-8s and A350F freighters, and in the second quarter it completed its first deal with Riyadh Air, a [Boeing 787-9 on long-term lease](https://avilease.com/articles/avilease-reports-h1-2026-results-delivering-391m-in-revenue-up-24-year-on-year/?ref=acmiworld.com). Its stated aim is to become a top 10 global lessor. **Best suited to:** Saudi and Gulf carriers, airlines seeking A350F freighter capacity later in the decade, and sale-and-leaseback of new aircraft. 17 ### [Azorra](https://azorra.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 187 owned and managed aircraft, 99 engines and airframes | Fort Lauderdale, United States Azorra is the leading specialist in small narrowbodies, the Embraer E2 and Airbus A220\. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, it [bought 12 A220-300s from EgyptAir, 49 E-Jets from DAE and 13 E190 airframes from JetBlue](https://azorra.com/2026/07/09/azorra-second-quarter-2026-activity/?ref=acmiworld.com), and took over DAE's A220 order book. In June it placed another order for [15 E195-E2s](https://aeromorning.com/en/azorra-places-additional-firm-order-for-15-embraer-e195-e2/?ref=acmiworld.com), taking its E2 orders past 50\. For airlines comparing leases with short-term capacity, our [E195-E2 ACMI lease guide](https://www.acmiworld.com/embraer-e195-e2-acmi-lease/) sets out the wet-lease alternative. **Best suited to:** airlines operating or adopting the E2 or A220, and carriers that need CF34 engines and E-Jet support. 18 ### [China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC)](https://www.calc.com.hk/?ref=acmiworld.com) 163 owned, 16 managed | Hong Kong · HKEX: 1848 · China Everbright CALC is a Hong Kong-listed lessor that covers the full aircraft lifecycle, from new deliveries to part-out. At 30 June 2026 its [fleet comprised 179 aircraft](https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2026/0825/2026082500362.pdf?ref=acmiworld.com), 163 owned and 16 managed, leased to 42 airlines, with just over half of its owned fleet with Chinese carriers. It is pushing abroad, most notably with a lease of seven new A321neos to Turkish Airlines, and in June it closed a US$480 million unsecured loan to fund pre-delivery payments on its Airbus order book. Its disassembly arm gives it an exit for older aircraft. **Best suited to:** airlines in China and Asia-Pacific, A320neo-family lessees, and carriers wanting a lessor that can also take retiring aircraft. 19 ### [TrueNoord](https://www.truenoord.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) 100+ regional aircraft | Amsterdam, Netherlands · Arcus Infrastructure Partners and Freshstream TrueNoord focuses on aircraft with 50 to 150 seats, including ATR and De Havilland turboprops, Embraer jets and now the A220\. It owns [more than 100 regional and crossover aircraft](https://www.eraa.org/members/truenoord/?ref=acmiworld.com) on lease to over 30 operators in 25 countries. In April 2026 infrastructure investor [Arcus agreed to buy about 74% of the company](https://pulse2.com/arcus-infrastructure-partners-acquires-majority-stake-in-truenoord-to-support-next-phase-of-regional-aircraft-leasing-growth/amp/?ref=acmiworld.com), with founding investor Freshstream keeping the rest. Its first Airbus deal, three A220-300s for Breeze, delivered in February. **Best suited to:** regional airlines and ACMI operators flying E190s or ATRs, such as Helvetic Airways, and carriers moving up into the A220\. 20 ### [Abelo](https://www.atr-aircraft.com/presspost/abelo-confirms-three-additional-atr-72-600-options/?ref=acmiworld.com) Nearly 60 turboprops, 36 ATR on order | Dublin, Ireland · turboprop specialist Abelo is one of the leading lessors dedicated to turboprops. Formed from the merger of Elix Aviation and ADARE Aviation Capital, it supports [just under 60 aircraft with 24 lessees in 19 countries](https://economyclassandbeyond.boardingarea.com/2026/03/31/abelo-signs-for-further-atr-aircraft/?ref=acmiworld.com). It is one of the few lessors with a direct ATR order book. After exercising three more options in March 2026, it has 36 firm ATR 42-600 and 72-600 aircraft on order, and recent placements include SATENA in Colombia and Ethiopian Airlines for Air Congo. For short-term turboprop capacity, see our [ATR 72 ACMI lease guide](https://www.acmiworld.com/atr-72-acmi-lease/). **Best suited to:** regional and island airlines needing new ATRs, and carriers in Africa and Latin America replacing older turboprops. ### Aircraft lessors compared | Lessor | Fleet (as reported) | Owner | Known for | | ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------- | | **AerCap** | 1,461 owned, 128 managed, 379 on order | Listed (NYSE) | Largest fleet, widebodies, engines | | **SMBC Aviation Capital** | About 1,700 owned, serviced and committed | SMFG and Sumitomo | Servicer of Sumisho Air Lease | | **DAE Capital** | About 1,000 owned, managed and committed | Dubai government | Macquarie AirFinance and NAC buyer | | **Avolon** | 1,117 owned, managed and committed | Bohai Leasing and ORIX | 503-aircraft order book | | **BOC Aviation** | 811 aircraft and engines | Bank of China (HKEX listed) | Youngest fleet, 100% utilisation | | **BBAM** | 500+ under management | Private partnership | Third-party capital manager | | **ACG** | 504 owned, managed and committed | Tokyo Century | 75 A320neo order, October 2026 | | **CDB Aviation** | 315 owned, 166 committed | China Development Bank | A1-rated balance sheet | | **ICBC Aviation Leasing** | Not disclosed | ICBC | Largest Chinese lessor by value | | **Carlyle Aviation Partners** | 347 owned or managed | The Carlyle Group | Fund capital, ABS, PDP finance | | **Jackson Square Aviation** | 344 owned, committed and managed | Mitsubishi HC Capital | Young owned fleet | | **Aircastle** | 274 owned, 5 managed | Private | Unencumbered fleet, sale-and-leaseback | | **BOCOM Leasing** | Close to 270 | Bank of Communications | Chinese narrowbody leasing | | **Castlelake** | 250+ assets | Private fund manager | Mid-life aircraft and rescue finance | | **ORIX Aviation** | 230+ owned and managed | ORIX Corporation | JOL management, buying AerFin | | **AviLease** | 202 owned and managed | Saudi PIF | Fastest-growing new lessor | | **Azorra** | 187 aircraft, 99 engines and airframes | Private | E2 and A220 specialist | | **CALC** | 163 owned, 16 managed | China Everbright (HKEX listed) | Full lifecycle, part-out | | **TrueNoord** | 100+ regional aircraft | Arcus and Freshstream | 50 to 150 seat aircraft | | **Abelo** | Nearly 60 turboprops | Private | ATR order book | ### The four kinds of aircraft lessor **Bank and conglomerate-backed lessors**SMBC, BOC Aviation, CDB Aviation, ICBC, JSA and ACG borrow cheaply through their parents. They win on price for new aircraft and large sale-and-leasebacks, but they are selective about airline credit. **Independent and listed platforms**AerCap, Avolon and DAE are large enough to order hundreds of aircraft directly and trade whole portfolios. They cover almost every type and region. **Asset managers and funds**BBAM, Carlyle and Castlelake invest third-party capital, often in mid-life aircraft. They are more flexible on structure and credit, and usually price for higher returns. **Regional specialists**Azorra, TrueNoord and Abelo focus on turboprops, regional jets and small narrowbodies that the large lessors cover only lightly, and know those engines and airframes in depth. ### What to compare before signing an aircraft lease - **Lease structure:** decide whether you want an operating lease or a finance lease. Our guide to [operating versus finance leases](https://www.acmiworld.com/operating-lease-versus-finance-lease-explained/) explains the accounting and ownership differences. - **Upfront cash:** compare [security deposit](https://www.acmiworld.com/aircraft-lease-security-deposits/) requirements, which can run to several months of rent for weaker credits. - **Rent and reserves:** check how [basic rent](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-basic-rent-in-aviation/) is set and how maintenance reserves are charged as [supplemental rent](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-supplemental-rent-in-aviation/). - **Return conditions:** model the cost of redelivery before signing. Our guide to [end-of-lease return costs](https://www.acmiworld.com/end-of-lease-aircraft-return-costs/) covers the usual traps. - **Lessee protections:** make sure the lease includes a [quiet enjoyment](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-quiet-enjoyment-in-aviation/) covenant, and understand that a [hell or high water clause](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-hell-or-high-water-clause-in-aviation/) keeps rent payable even if the aircraft is grounded. - **Repossession rules:** lessors price leases more keenly in countries that apply the [Cape Town Convention](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-cape-town-convention-in-aviation/) and accept an [IDERA](https://www.acmiworld.com/what-is-idera-in-aviation/). - **Flexibility:** agree extension and exit terms upfront. See our guides to [lease extension negotiation](https://www.acmiworld.com/aircraft-lease-extension-negotiation/) and [early termination](https://www.acmiworld.com/early-termination-of-an-aircraft-lease/). A dry lease takes months to arrange. If a delivery slips or an aircraft is grounded before the lease aircraft arrives, a wet lease can bridge the gap, as explained in our guide to [ACMI leasing for delivery delays](https://www.acmiworld.com/acmi-lease-for-aircraft-delivery-delays/). Lessors also do not take on an airline's carbon obligations by owning the aircraft, as our note on [lessors and CORSIA](https://www.acmiworld.com/aircraft-lessors-do-not-inherit-corsia-just-by-owning-the-aircraft/) explains. ### Need aircraft before your lease delivers? When a new lease aircraft is months away, Blue Cube Aviation helps airlines source wet-lease, dry-lease and charter capacity at short notice, and supports aircraft sales. [Talk to Blue Cube Aviation](https://www.acmiworld.com/blue-cube-aviation-acmi-dry-lease-charter-and-aircraft-sales-support/) **Editorial note:** This ranking is based on publicly available company information, financial filings and industry reporting as of October 2026\. It is an independent editorial assessment, not a recommendation of any lessor, and ACMIWorld received no payment for inclusion. Fleet figures are as reported by each company and are measured differently (owned, managed, serviced, committed or on order), so they are not directly comparable. Aircraft lessors that wish to be considered for future editions can contact ACMIWorld. For partnerships, media, and collaboration opportunities, contact us directly at [info@acmiworld.com](mailto:info@acmiworld.com).