02 Oct 2025

#1 October 2025: Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter

SES Closes $800 Million Secured Term Loan Facility

Shannon Engine Support (SES), the world’s largest lessor of CFM56 and LEAP engines and a joint venture between AerCap and Safran, has successfully closed an $800 million secured term loan facility. The financing included participation from 13 aviation-focused banks, further reinforcing SES’s strength in the global engine leasing market and its access to diversified funding sources.

SMBC Aero Engine Lease Delivers First PW1127G-JM Engine to GEM

SMBC Aero Engine Lease (SAEL) announced the successful delivery of one PW1127G-JM engine to Group Engine Management GmbH (GEM), supporting Lufthansa Group airlines. The PW1127G-JM, part of Pratt & Whitney’s GTF family, is renowned for its high fuel efficiency and environmental performance. This marks a significant milestone in SAEL’s ongoing expansion and commitment to sustainable engine leasing solutions.
Roger Welaratne, CEO of SAEL, noted the importance of this partnership in their growth roadmap and reiterated the company’s commitment to customer-centric solutions.

World Star Aviation Delivers First 737-800 Freighter to SolitAir

World Star Aviation has delivered the first of several committed Boeing 737-800 freighters to SolitAir, a rapidly growing cargo carrier based at Dubai World Central. This delivery supports SolitAir’s fleet expansion strategy as demand for regional air freight continues to rise, particularly in the Middle East and surrounding markets.

Acumen’s Take

On SES Securing $800 Million

This transaction signals continued lender confidence in engine leasing as a resilient asset class. SES's ability to close a sizeable loan with a consortium of 13 banks highlights not only its market strength but also the ongoing appetite for CFM56 and LEAP engines in the secondary market. Amid macroeconomic uncertainties, such liquidity access is crucial for strategic fleet management.

On SAEL's GTF Engine Delivery to Lufthansa Group

The delivery of a PW1127G-JM engine to GEM represents more than a simple transaction—it marks SAEL’s foray into newer, environmentally progressive engine platforms. This positions the lessor well within the next-gen engine leasing space and supports Lufthansa Group’s decarbonisation agenda.

On World Star’s Freighter Commitment to SolitAir

With e-commerce growth still fuelling cargo capacity demand, World Star’s placement of multiple 737-800Fs with SolitAir reflects a wider pivot in the leasing space toward converted narrowbody freighters. SolitAir's expansion at Dubai World Central aligns well with the Middle East’s emergence as a strategic cargo hub.

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