Aircraft Leasing Market Report 2025

The aircraft leasing market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $193.33 billion in 2024 to $210.4 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the globalization of aviation, cost-efficiency and flexibility, market deregulation, financial benefits for airlines, and the emergence of low-cost carriers.

The aircraft leasing market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $294.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the rise of emerging markets, airline cost management, economic recovery and growth, sustainable aviation initiatives, and a shift to shorter leasing periods. Major trends in the forecast period include fleet modernization, expansion of low-cost carriers, platform innovation, and shift to operating leases.

The anticipated surge in air travel demand is poised to drive the growth of the aircraft leasing market in the future. Air travel, involving the use of air transportation services via airplanes or helicopters, is increasingly opting for aircraft leasing as a strategic practice. Airlines choose to lease aircraft from leasing companies instead of outright purchases, offering them flexibility to adapt to changing demand, expand or contract their fleet, and avoid significant upfront capital costs associated with buying aircraft. Notably, in February 2023, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a global total traffic increase of 39.7% in December 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. European carriers experienced a surge in demand by 46.5% during the same timeframe. Consequently, the rising demand for air travel is a key driver for the aircraft leasing market.

The increasing government expenditure on the defense sector is expected to contribute to the growth of the aircraft leasing market. Defense expenditure, encompassing spending on weapons, operations, maintenance, personnel, and specialized military equipment, significantly influences aircraft leasing dynamics. It creates demand for specific aircraft, supports military operations, facilitates fleet modernization, provides operational flexibility, and impacts the economic landscape for aircraft leasing companies specializing in defense contracts. For example, in March 2023, the United States Air Force (USAF) announced a fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request of approximately $215.1 billion, reflecting a 4.5% increase over the approved figure for FY 2023. Consequently, the escalating government spending on the defense sector is a driving force for the aircraft leasing market.

The aircraft leasing market is witnessing a prominent trend driven by technological advancements. Key players in the market are actively developing sophisticated analytics platforms to maintain their competitive positions. An example of this is LEASEWORKS, a US-based company specializing in cloud-based software solutions for aircraft leasing and asset management. In April 2023, LEASEWORKS introduced the LeaseWorks Utilization Tracker, a utilization records software designed for lessors. Integrated into the Aeris MATCH software ecosystem, this tracker simplifies the collection of usage records from airlines operating across various regions and asset groups. Lessors can ensure compliance by scrutinizing and auditing airline utilization data, comparing aircraft usage patterns with fleet and regional trends, and tracking aircraft movements by country or city.

Major companies in the aircraft leasing market are also incorporating new aircraft leasing units as part of their strategic initiatives to boost revenues. A notable example is Adani APSEZ, an India-based logistics corporation, which launched a new aircraft leasing unit in India's GIFT City in November 2023. This move includes the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary called Udanvat Leasing IFSC, enabling Adani APSEZ to facilitate aircraft acquisitions for its airline customers and expand its services within the aviation industry. Additionally, Adani Ports has announced plans to develop a 40,000 sq.ft. facility at Dallas Executive Airport by early 2024, further enhancing its presence in the aviation sector.

In November 2023, AviLease LLC, an aircraft leasing company based in Saudi Arabia, acquired Standard Chartered's aircraft leasing business for $3.6 billion. This acquisition bolsters AviLease LLC's fleet capacity and strengthens its global leasing presence. It aligns with the company’s strategy to support the growth of aviation in Saudi Arabia and contribute to the country's economic diversification objectives. Standard Chartered is a UK-based financial services firm that offers aircraft leasing and financing solutions to airlines and other aviation-related businesses.

Major companies operating in the aircraft leasing market include AerCap Holdings N.V., Air Lease Corporation, BOC Aviation Limited, Aviation Capital Group LLC, BBAM LLC, GE Capital Aviation Services LLC, CIT Group, International Lease Finance Corporation, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd., Nordic Aviation Capital A/S, Avolon Holdings Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company Limited, Lease Corporation International, Vista Global Holding Limited, Chapman Freeborn Holdings Ltd., SMBC Aviation Capital, CDB Aviation, Aircastle Ltd., Macquarie AirFinance Ltd., Aergo Capital Ltd., Apollo Aviation Group, Castlelake LP, Carlyle Aviation Partners Ltd., Falko Regional Aircraft Limited, Goshawk Aviation Limited, Jackson Square Aviation Limited, Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited, ORIX Aviation, Seraph Aviation Management Limited, SkyWorks Capital LLC, Altavair LP.

Asia-pacific was the largest region in the aircraft leasing market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global aircraft leasing market duirng the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft leasing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aircraft leasing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Aircraft leasing involves a contractual arrangement between two parties, the lessor and the lessee, wherein the lessor provides an airplane to the lessee for a specific duration in exchange for periodic rental or lease payments. Airlines often choose aircraft leasing as a cost-effective method to expand their fleet or replace older planes without bearing the entire expense of purchasing new ones.

The primary types of aircraft leasing arrangements are Wet Leasing and Dry Leasing. A narrow-body aircraft is characterized by a single aisle configuration with seats on both sides. These aircraft, commonly utilized for short to medium-haul flights, are a popular choice in aircraft leasing arrangements. Various security types in aircraft leasing encompass asset-backed security (ABS) and non-ABS options, applicable across narrow-body, wide-body, and other aircraft categories.

The aircraft leasing software market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft leasing software market statistics, including aircraft leasing software industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft leasing software market share, detailed aircraft leasing software market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft leasing software industry. This aircraft leasing software market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The aircraft leasing market includes revenues earned by entities by providing aircraft leasing services such as operating lease and finance lease and damp leasing. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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