Dubai Lessor Eyes More Purchases to Keep Up With Airline Demand

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is buying Macquarie AirFinance for an enterprise value of about $7 billion. The purchase will double DAE’s fleet to more than 1,000 units and the company plans to finance the cash transaction with a combination of debt and equity. Firoz Tarapore, CEO of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise spoke to Bloomberg’s Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the acquisition.Source: Bloomberg

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By Leen Al-Rashdan and Joumanna Bercetche

February 27, 2026 at 7:22 AM UTC

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise will continue to explore acquisition opportunities as the jet lessor looks to expand and replace aircraft.

“M&A is really part of our DNA if you look at how we run,” Chief Executive Officer Firoz Tarapore said in a TV interview. It will continue to “play a big role in how we keep the fleet fresh,” he said.