SMBC Aviation Capital and a group of partner investors have finalized the acquisition of rival lessor Air Lease Corporation following the completion of all paperwork.
On April 9, 2026, it was stated that Sumitomo Corporation and SMBC Aviation Capital along with international investment firms Apollo and Brookfield were officially the new owners of the US firm.
SMBC Aviation had previously said that as part of the takeover, Air Lease would be renamed as Sumisho Air Lease Corporation.
Noriyuki Hiruta, CEO of Sumisho Air Lease Corporation, said: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sumisho Air Lease. As an established aircraft lessor with a modern, fuel‑efficient fleet and a strong investment‑grade profile, we are ideally placed to meet the evolving needs of airlines and investors in a rapidly changing market.”
He added: “With the backing of Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo and Brookfield, we have the scale, financial strength and industry expertise to deliver long‑term value while building trusted partnerships with our customers around the world.”
The acquisition of Air Lease was finalized after the new owners received all regulatory approvals and clearances from the relevant authorities.
In September 2025, SMBC Aviation said that Air Lease shareholders would receive $65 per share, in an all-cash $7.4 billion transaction. Sumisho Air Lease Corporation will also assume Air Lease’s debt, bringing the total value of the transaction to $28.2 billion.
Under the ownership structure, Sumitomo Corporation holds a 37.51% financial interest in the new lessor while SMBC holds 24.99%. Both Apollo and Brookfield acquired 18.75%
In a statement SMBC said: “Through its participation in the Acquisition, SMBC Aviation Capital has further solidified its position as a leader in the aircraft leasing industry. Moving forward, SMBC Aviation Capital will continue to provide a broader range of airlines and both domestic and international aircraft investors with aircraft leasing services and investment opportunities.”
They added: “We will keep striving for the sustainable growth of the aircraft leasing business and the enhancement of its asset and capital efficiency.”
Sumisho Air Lease said it “aims to enhance investment in new-tech and environmentally friendly” and “further bolster its financing capabilities through access to global capital markets”.
