SMBC Aviation Capital has reported a pre-tax profit of 707 million dollars (605 million euros) for the year ended 31 March 2026, as it marks its 25th anniversary with record trading activity. The Dublin-based lessor also completed its acquisition of Sumisho Air Lease Corporation in April 2026, creating a platform of about 1,700 owned, managed and committed aircraft.

SMBC Aviation Capital is headquartered at Fitzwilliam 28 in Dublin and is backed by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corporation. Lease revenue rose to 1.97 billion dollars (1.69 billion euros) in the financial year, and new technology aircraft now account for 80% of its owned fleet.

During the year the company delivered 59 aircraft worth 3.4 billion dollars (2.91 billion euros), signed a further 3.3 billion dollars (2.82 billion euros) of new leasing agreements, and completed aircraft sales totalling 2.6 billion dollars (2.23 billion euros), its busiest year for trading.

The Sumisho Air Lease acquisition is the structural driver behind the group’s new scale. The business was formerly Air Lease Corporation, taken over in a 7.4 billion dollar (6.3 billion euro) deal alongside Sumitomo Corporation, Apollo-managed funds and Brookfield, and renamed on completion.

The combined platform serves more than 170 airline customers and holds assets valued at around 89 billion dollars (76.2 billion euros). It also carries commitments for approximately 430 aircraft valued at 26 billion dollars (22.3 billion euros), around 90% of which are already placed through the first quarter of 2028.

“FY2025 was one of the most significant years in SMBC Aviation Capital’s 25-year history. We delivered strong underlying profit growth, capitalised on robust leasing and trading demand and continued to build one of the highest-quality portfolios in the sector,” said Peter Barrett, chief executive of SMBC Aviation Capital.

The annual report also highlights the company’s Irish roots. It relocated to its Fitzwilliam 28 headquarters in 2024, continues to partner with Trinity College Dublin’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research Facility, and saw more than 350 employees support schools in Ballyfermot, Dublin, during its annual Difference Day.

For the sector, the results show the scale at which leading lessors are now operating as they combine record trading with a large orderbook of new-generation aircraft.

Source: Flying in Ireland / Irish Times