Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) and Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI) have announced a strategic partnership to establish a new aviation leasing program called 'Equator'. The initiative aims to deploy approximately $1.6 billion annually into a diversified portfolio of commercial aircraft leased to airlines worldwide.
The program will leverage DAE’s expertise in sourcing and managing aircraft assets, with its Aircraft Investor Services division tasked with portfolio management. Blackstone Credit & Insurance will provide flexible capital solutions, supporting a range of investment opportunities backed by tangible assets.
Background and Implications
DAE currently oversees around 700 aircraft globally, including more than 100 valued at over $4 billion, serving over 200 airline customers across more than 80 countries. Blackstone’s Infrastructure and Asset Based Credit Group manages over $100 billion in assets, bringing substantial experience in structured credit and real assets.
“Blackstone’s scaled and flexible capital provides a strong foundation to grow our third-party fleet management franchise. Our fleet size, global customer and counterparty reach, and dedicated client support team make DAE uniquely positioned to support Equator’s long-term success,”
said Firoz Tarapore, CEO of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.
The 'Equator' platform intends to expand globally, utilizing institutional capital and operational expertise to increase exposure to aircraft-backed assets. This long-term initiative reflects the growing trend of institutional involvement in aircraft leasing, supporting the global aviation market's rising demand.
