DAE Capital nears deal to acquire aircraft lessor Macquarie AirFinance

Dubai-based aircraft lessor DAE Capital is nearing a deal to acquire control of the leasing platform Macquarie AirFinance, a move that signals intensifying competition within the global aviation finance market. The potential transaction, which is currently under discussion as of February 22, 2026, follows a competitive auction process that produced multiple final contenders. This development is being closely watched as a significant sector-level event, highlighting the strategic value of established aircraft portfolios in a period of unprecedented market tension.