Aircraft Engine Lease Finance Inc. (AELF), a US-based commercial aircraft lessor, concluded an active year in the capital markets in 2025 after securing $355 million in committed capital and term financings. The funding was raised from a group of lenders, including Investec, Absa Group, Merchants Bank and Natixis, and will be deployed to support strategic growth initiatives and fleet expansion.
The company enters 2026 with a strengthened capital position, providing capacity to advance its long-term strategy. AELF continues to focus on mid-life aircraft assets where it sees strong potential for value creation, supported by a disciplined investment approach and an expanding balance sheet.
In recent years, AELF has recorded consistent growth under a differentiated business model that combines in-house technical expertise with extensive global airline relationships. This capability has enabled the lessor to identify and execute value-driven transactions in an increasingly competitive leasing environment.
AELF’s active, hands-on approach to asset management has also resonated with institutional financing partners. The company has built a reputation for managing assets across their full lifecycle, including navigating complex operational and market situations, which has strengthened its standing with a number of international financial institutions.
As part of its broader financing activity, AELF also secured a $72 million loan from existing lender Absa in early December 2025. The transaction reflects the depth of the longstanding banking relationship and underlines confidence in AELF’s execution track record and asset management capabilities.
The financing activity highlights the increasing sophistication of structured capital solutions available to established aircraft lessors, particularly those with clear strategies, strong technical expertise and a proven ability to deploy capital effectively in a more selective global financing environment.
