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Dhaka: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) reported one of its strongest performances in 2025, driven by robust global airline demand and Dubai’s expanding role as a hub for aviation finance, leasing and maintenance.
The Dubai-based aviation services company said it acquired 280 aircraft during the year, including 261 owned and 19 managed assets, while selling 112 aircraft as part of active portfolio management. DAE Capital also completed the $2 billion acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital, significantly expanding its scale and customer base.
Leasing activity remained strong, with 273 lease agreements, extensions and amendments signed across owned and managed fleets. Key transactions included long-term sale-and-leaseback deals with United Airlines for 10 Boeing 737-9 aircraft and the placement of 10 Boeing 737-8 aircraft with AJet.
DAE also arranged a $610 million two-tranche aircraft asset-backed securitisation for a managed asset client.
DAE Engineering recorded a record year, completing more than 1.8 million man-hours and over 320 aircraft checks for more than 60 airline customers across 30 countries.
Capacity expanded by around 30% with the opening of a new five-bay hangar in Dubai, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a regional MRO hub.
At group level, DAE raised $3.9 billion in debt with an average maturity of 5.3 years and issued a $650 million five-year sukuk. Credit rating agency KBRA placed the company on Positive Outlook.
Chief executive Firoz Tarapore said DAE Capital achieved 35pc fleet growth in 2025, ranking it among the world’s top five aircraft lessors by fleet size, while DAE Engineering strengthened its position as the leading independent airframe MRO provider in the region.
Industry analysts said DAE’s performance reflects broader momentum in Dubai’s aviation sector, supported by strong fleet growth among Middle East airlines, increased reliance on leasing and demand for high-quality maintenance services.
-B
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