Air Lease To Be Taken Private In $7.4 Billion Deal

Air Lease agreed to sell itself to a group of investors led by Japan’s Sumitomo and SMBC Aviation Capital in a $7.4 billion deal that will take the company private, according to CNBC. Shareholders in the Los Angeles-based firm, founded by industry pioneer Steven Udvar-Házy, will receive $65 per share, an almost 8% premium to Friday’s close. Including debt, the transaction values the aircraft lessor at $28.2 billion. The acquisition highlights ongoing consolidation in the sector, which has seen major deals in recent years. Air Lease is expected to complete the deal in the first half of 2026, with headquarters moving to Dublin.