Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) and Blackstone Credit & Insurance have agreed to launch a multi-billion dollar global aircraft leasing investment platform, targeting around $1.6bn of annual deployment.
The programme, branded Equator, will invest in commercial aircraft leased to airlines worldwide, building a diversified portfolio across key aviation markets.
Under the partnership, DAE will source aircraft assets from third parties, while its Aircraft Investor Services unit will manage the portfolio. The initiative is designed to expand DAE’s third-party asset management business and leverage Blackstone’s large-scale credit platform to provide financing across market cycles.
DAE chief executive Firoz Tarapore said the partnership combines the company’s global airline relationships and fleet management expertise with Blackstone’s “scaled and flexible capital” to support long-term growth.
Blackstone said the programme reflects its strategy of deploying capital into asset-backed investments, particularly in sectors such as aviation where underlying assets provide downside protection. Aneek Mamik, a senior managing director at Blackstone Credit & Insurance, said the platform would focus on “high-quality investments backed by hard assets”.
ITE Management will also participate in the investor group supporting the programme.
DAE, one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors, manages a fleet of around 700 aircraft, including more than 100 aircraft valued at over $4bn under management. The company also acts as servicer across multiple aircraft investment vehicles for institutional investors.
Blackstone Credit & Insurance’s infrastructure and asset-based credit platform manages more than $100bn of assets, focusing on investment-grade and structured credit opportunities across sectors including infrastructure, real estate and commercial finance.
The launch of Equator comes as demand for aircraft leasing remains strong, with airlines increasingly relying on lessors for fleet growth amid constrained aircraft supply and rising capital costs.