Aircraft Financing & Leasing
Structuring aircraft leasing, asset finance and aviation investment vehicles through the AIFC platform.
Specialized infrastructure for aviation finance
Aircraft financing and leasing require specialized financial, legal and regulatory infrastructure. AIFC Aviation Finance Hub supports market participants in understanding available structures, licensing pathways and institutional requirements.
Unlock institutional-grade aircraft finance
From SPV structuring to portfolio governance — a unified platform for lessors, investors and airlines through AIFC.
Who this page is for
Key Advantages
English Common Law Jurisdiction
AIFC offers a legal environment based on the principles of English common law, providing international investors and aviation finance participants with clarity and predictability.
Fiscal Advantage
AIFC provides a favorable environment for eligible financial services, structuring, investment and cross-border activities.
Asset Safety
AIFC supports transparent structuring, asset protection and institutional governance for aviation finance transactions.
Licensing Pathways
This pathway may be relevant for entities providing loans, financial leases, syndicated loans, letters of credit, guarantees, trade finance, project finance, asset finance and related credit activities.
Indicative requirements
| Activity type | To be verified |
| Application fee | To be verified |
| Annual supervision fee | To be verified |
| Minimum capital requirement | To be verified |
| Auditor requirement | To be verified |
| Governance requirement | To be verified |
| Compliance requirement | To be verified |
Please verify latest requirements with AFSA and official AIFC regulations.
Example Structures
Aircraft Leasing Company
Operating company entering into leases with airline customers.
SPV for Aircraft Asset
Bankruptcy-remote vehicle holding a single aircraft asset.
Islamic Leasing Structure
Ijarah-based vehicle compliant with Shari'ah principles.
Investor-backed Leasing Vehicle
Equity and debt-backed vehicle for aviation investment.
Process
- 1Step 01
Define business model
- 2Step 02
Select legal structure
- 3Step 03
Register AIFC entity or SPV
- 4Step 04
Prepare licensing documentation
- 5Step 05
Submit to AFSA
- 6Step 06
Build governance, compliance and audit framework
- 7Step 07
Launch operations or transaction