The Sumisho Air Lease acquisition has officially closed, marking the completion of the transaction in which Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo-managed funds, and Brookfield acquired Air Lease Corporation. The company has now been renamed Sumisho Air Lease Corporation and has been removed from the New York Stock Exchange following its transition to private ownership.
Deal Completion and Corporate Transition
The closing of the transaction confirms that all regulatory approvals and shareholder requirements were met. Air Lease Corporation’s stockholders approved the merger agreement, under which each Class A common stockholder is entitled to receive $65 per share in cash. With the completion of the Sumisho Air Lease acquisition, the investor group has assumed full ownership of the rebranded entity.
The transaction carries an equity value of approximately $7.4 billion. When including debt that is assumed or refinanced, the total enterprise value associated with the deal is about $28.2 billion. These figures were outlined in the official closing announcement provided by the investor consortium.
Fleet Integration and Orderbook Transfer
A key component of the Air Lease acquisition 2026 is the transfer of Air Lease’s aircraft orderbook to SMBC Aviation Capital. This transition brings SMBC Aviation Capital’s combined Airbus and Boeing orderbook to roughly 420 aircraft. The company now oversees an owned, managed, and committed fleet of more than 1,700 aircraft placed with over 170 airline customers around the world.
The closing also confirms that SMBC Aviation Capital will serve as the fleet servicer for Sumisho Air Lease’s aircraft portfolio. This servicing role forms part of an expanded aviation platform supported by the combined capabilities of the investor group.
Leadership and Investor Statements
Noriyuki Hiruta has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sumisho Air Lease Corporation, according to the company’s official communication. His leadership marks the beginning of a new operational phase for the business under its updated structure.
Sumitomo Corporation stated that the completed acquisition supports its commitment to the commercial aviation sector and aligns with its long-term plans in the industry. SMBC Aviation Capital confirmed that the integration of the new platform strengthens its global scale and enhances its ability to support airline customers.
Representatives from Apollo and Brookfield reaffirmed their participation as long-term capital partners. Their statements emphasize joint support for the company’s future development now that the Air Lease acquisition 2026 has fully closed.
Position in the Global Aviation Market
With the completion of the Sumisho Air Lease acquisition, the rebranded company enters the market with the backing of four established global investors and a large aircraft portfolio. The transition finalizes one of the most notable transactions in the aviation leasing sector and confirms the full operational shift from Air Lease Corporation to Sumisho Air Lease.
The completion of the transaction sets the foundation for the company’s next stage as a privately held aircraft leasing entity operating under its new name and ownership.
