ORIX Aviation has signed an agreement to acquire AerFin, the aviation aftermarket specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts.

The acquisition will see AerFin become an ORIX Aviation-owned company, bringing ORIX Aviation’s global aircraft leasing, asset management and investment platform together with AerFin’s proven aftermarket capabilities and technical expertise. ORIX Aviation plans to complete this transaction by the end of 2026, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals.

AerFin has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner to the global aviation aftermarket. Guided by its vision to be the most trusted partner in the sector, the company helps airlines, lessors and MROs keep fleets flying with confidence. Its flexible aftermarket services span aircraft and engine trading, inventory solutions, component sales, leasing, repair management and engine MRO. Together, these capabilities give customers access to material, technical expertise and support to help them manage assets more effectively.

The company has grown significantly over the years and is trusted by customers globally. AerFin has facilities in the UK, Miami, Singapore and Dublin and employs more than 230 people.

Established in 1991, ORIX Aviation owns and manages aircraft and provides comprehensive asset management services to Japanese and international investors and funds through its full-service operating lease platform. The acquisition of AerFin will broaden ORIX Aviation’s capabilities across the aircraft lifecycle, from leasing and asset management through to end-of-life part-out and aftermarket solutions.

ORIX Aviation was advised by Goldman Sachs International as sole financial advisor, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as legal counsel, EY as financial due diligence advisor and PwC as tax due diligence advisor.

AerFin was advised by Rothschild & Co as sole financial advisor, Baker McKenzie as legal counsel, KPMG as financial and tax due diligence advisor and BCG as commercial due diligence advisor. Osborne Clarke and Liberty Corporate Finance acted respectively as legal counsel and financial advisors to the management team.

Simon Goodson, Chief Executive Officer of AerFin, said:

I am delighted that AerFin is joining the ORIX Group, a business that shares our values and belief in trusted partnerships, flexible solutions and finding the way ahead for our customers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our founder Bob James for his vision and tenacity, our departing majority shareholders CataCap for their outstanding custodianship and guidance, and of course our customers, employees and partners who have made our business what it is today.

This is a defining moment in AerFin’s story and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With the backing of ORIX Aviation and the wider ORIX Group, we will have the support, confidence and platform to enable AerFin to become a stronger force within the industry, while continuing our ambition to be the most trusted partner in the aviation aftermarket. The best of AerFin is still to come.

James Meyler, Chief Executive Officer of ORIX Aviation, said: “The acquisition of AerFin is a significant milestone for ORIX Aviation and ORIX Group as we expand our capabilities across the aircraft lifecycle. AerFin has built a leading aviation aftermarket platform, supported by an experienced management team, deep technical expertise and a global customer network.

“Together, we will be well positioned to deliver additional value for customers and investors, while supporting a more sustainable aviation industry through the reuse and optimisation of aircraft assets.”

Peter Ryttergaard, Co-Founder and Partner at CataCap, noted: “AerFin has been an outstanding success story, and we are proud of what has been achieved during our ownership. The team has built a leading business through their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering focus on its customers and people. We have always sought to support businesses with strong cultures and ambitious growth plans, and AerFin has exceeded our expectations on both fronts.

“As the company enters its next phase, we believe ORIX Aviation is the right long-term owner to support that journey. The values, ambition and partnership approach of both organisations are closely aligned, making this a natural next step. We thank the AerFin team for an exceptional partnership and look forward to seeing the business continue to thrive in the years ahead.”

Bob James, Founder of AerFin, added: “Having built AerFin from the ground up and spent my career in the aviation MRO sector, I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one. Simon Goodson has led the business brilliantly through this transition, and I have every confidence in him and the wider team as they take AerFin into its next chapter.

“CataCap have been an excellent partner throughout this journey, fully supportive, engaged, and genuinely invested in what we’ve built together. ORIX Aviation bring exactly the support, reputation and long-term commitment this business deserves, and I am delighted AerFin has found such a natural home to continue its growth.”

About AerFin:  

AerFin is breathing new life into aviation. We buy, sell, lease and repair aircraft, engines and parts to maximise the value for their owners and provide a lower-cost supply of material to our airline, lessor and MRO customers. Through our deep technical expertise and high-performance culture, we deliver confidence-inspiring quality, safety and value to our customers. Our blend of industry expertise and experience – today’s insight and tomorrow’s foresight – gives us a unique perspective on our industry that is trusted by over 600 customers across six continents. With regional hubs in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas we’re perfectly placed to keep fleets flying and get deals done. That’s the AerFin way. That’s the way ahead.

About ORIX Aviation:

ORIX Aviation was established in 1991 in Dublin, Ireland and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ORIX Corporation of Japan. ORIX Aviation owns and manages over 230 aircraft and leases them to more than 60 airline customers located in over 40 countries. ORIX Aviation is a 30% shareholder of Avolon, one of the leading aircraft lessors globally. ORIX Aviation is a well-established aircraft lessor, focused primarily on investing and trading opportunities in the aircraft leasing and aircraft asset management areas while maintaining a strong balance sheet of owned assets to support stable long-term profits and future growth. ORIX Aviation is ranked by S&P Global Ratings as a commercial aircraft lease servicer. It has obtained a “Strong” overall ranking (the highest level available) with a stable outlook. The asset management clients of ORIX Aviation are investors based in Japan, US funds and international banks and financial investors.

About ORIX Group:

ORIX Group (ORIX Corporation TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) was established in 1964 and has grown from its roots in leasing in Japan to become a global, diverse, and unique corporate group. Today, it is active around the world in financing and investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, real estate, concession, environment and energy, automobile-related services, industrial/ICT equipment, ships and aircraft. Since expanding outside of Japan in 1971, ORIX Group has grown its business globally and now operates in around 30 countries and regions across the world with approximately 37,000 people. ORIX Group unites globally around its Purpose: “Finding Paths. Making Impact.” combining diverse expertise and innovative thinking to help our world develop in a sustainable way.

Featured image credited to ORIX Aviation