McCann FitzGerald LLP
McCann FitzGerald LLP advises SMBC Aviation Capital on its acquisition of Air Lease Corporation
We advised SMBC Aviation Capital on the acquisition of Air Lease Corporation (now renamed Sumisho Air Lease Corporation) by Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo-managed funds and Brookfield.
This transformational transaction improves the financial position of the Sumisho Air Lease Corporation business with long term support and aviation expertise from co-investors Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo and Brookfield.
As part of the overall transaction, Air Lease’s orderbook has now transferred to SMBC Aviation Capital, bringing SMBC Aviation Capital’s orderbook with Airbus and Boeing to c. 420 aircraft.
SMBC Aviation Capital will be the servicer to the majority of Sumisho Air Lease’s portfolio of aircraft, bringing SMBC Aviation Capital’s Owned, Serviced and Committed aircraft to over 1700 across over 170 airline Customers.
The transaction was originally announced in September 2025, with the co-investors agreeing to acquire Air Lease for a total valuation of approximately $7.4 billion, or approximately $28.2 billion including debt obligations to be assumed or refinanced net of cash.
The McCann FitzGerald LLP team was led by Garreth O’Brien (Corporate) and Georgina O’Riordan (Finance) and included Cian Hanamy, Stephen Ryan and Donal Hamilton.
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