22 Aug 2025
#4 August 2025: Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter
Airborne Capital Announces Boeing 767-300BCF Lease with Geosky Airlines
Airborne Capital has announced the placement and long-term lease delivery of a Boeing 767-300BCF widebody freighter to Geosky Airlines of Georgia. Founded in 2017, Geosky is a growing cargo airline, and this deal marks both Airborne Capital’s first widebody freighter transaction and its first engagement with the Georgian carrier.
Cian Dooley, Founding Partner at Airborne Capital, said:
“We are delighted to announce this transaction and to welcome Geosky Airlines as a new customer of Airborne Capital. Geosky is our 30th airline customer, and market interest in these aircraft remains strong. As this is the first of a series of widebody freighters we are remarketing on behalf of a client, we look forward to placing the remaining 767-300BCF aircraft in due course.”
Airlink and Azorra Finalise Lease of 10 New Embraer E195-E2s
Airlink and Azorra have finalised a lease agreement for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year. This agreement follows Airlink’s earlier selection of the E195-E2 for its fleet renewal strategy.
John Evans, CEO of Azorra, stated:
“This is an exciting step forward in our partnership with Airlink. The addition of the E195-E2 to their fleet highlights our shared commitment to operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and increased capacity and service. We’re proud to work alongside Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to bring next-generation aircraft to Airlink, supporting enhanced connectivity across Africa.”
Arena Aviation Acquires 8-Aircraft Portfolio from AerCap
Arena Aviation Capital has completed the acquisition of eight aircraft—six Airbus A320-200s and two Boeing 737NGs—on behalf of a US-based investment fund. All aircraft are currently on lease to established operators including EasyJet, Air France, Avianca, and Norwegian.
Valued at approximately $180 million, the transaction represents the third portfolio deal between Arena and AerCap to date. The final aircraft delivery was completed on 2 July 2025.
Erik Dahmen, Chief Commercial Officer at Arena Aviation Capital, commented:
“We are grateful to once again have been entrusted by a market leader like AerCap to assemble a tailored package deal for a key U.S. investor client. All parties worked with patience and collaboration to close this transaction successfully. We look forward to repeating this feat with everyone involved.”
Engine Lease Finance Corporation Finalises CFM LEAP Spare Engine Agreement
Engine Lease Finance Corporation (elfc) and CFM International have finalised an agreement for the purchase of 50 CFM LEAP spare engines. The deal covers both LEAP-1A (Airbus A320neo family) and LEAP-1B (Boeing 737 MAX) engines.
The agreement extends a long-standing relationship that began in 1992 with the CFM56-3, expanding over the years to include several other CFM engine variants. elfc first selected the LEAP-1A in 2019.
Richard Hough, President & CEO of elfc, said:
“CFM engines have been an integral part of our portfolio for over three decades. This deal will help us continue supporting our customers with the efficiency, reliability, and high utilisation they’ve come to expect from CFM engines.”
Acumen’s Take
On Airborne Capital’s Freighter Lease to Geosky
Airborne’s debut in the widebody freighter segment is timely, given the persistent strength of global air cargo demand. The 767-300BCF continues to find favour among regional cargo operators for its capacity and range. This deal positions Airborne to capitalise on sustained e-commerce growth and highlights opportunities in secondary markets like Georgia, where cargo capacity expansion is critical.
On Airlink’s E195-E2 Deal with Azorra
Airlink’s fleet modernisation via E195-E2s demonstrates growing African interest in next-generation regional jets. The type’s lower fuel burn and optimised capacity make it ideal for underserved intra-continental routes. For Azorra, this partnership cements its presence in emerging markets and aligns with broader trends in sustainable, flexible fleet strategies.
On Arena Aviation’s Portfolio Acquisition from AerCap
Arena’s $180 million acquisition underscores continued investor confidence in mid-life narrowbodies on lease to top-tier carriers. The transaction reflects strong secondary market liquidity and strategic portfolio building by asset managers catering to capital-rich clients seeking stable returns. It also illustrates AerCap’s ongoing role in shaping the global aircraft trading ecosystem.
On elfc’s LEAP Engine Expansion with CFM
elfc’s 50-engine purchase strengthens its aftermarket support capabilities at a time when LEAP-powered fleets are growing rapidly. With Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies dominating future deliveries, engine lessors like elfc are securing forward-looking inventory to meet rising demand. The deal also signals deepening trust between CFM and established leasing players in managing long-term powerplant availability.
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