Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Acquires Rival Lessor in $7 Billion Deal

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is set to complete a $7 billion takeover of rival lessor Macquarie AirFinance after signing a definitive agreement. The transaction has been approved by DAE’s Board of Directors and awaits regulatory approvals, with the deal expected to close in Q3 2026. On completion, DAE will welcome 37 new airline customers to its portfolio, including seven new countries. The combined fleet is expected to include 1,029 aircraft with 191 airline customers. According to AeroTime, this acquisition continues DAE’s tradition of acquiring established platforms and fleets that represent exceptional shareholder value.