Firoz Tarapore, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, has confirmed that the company expects to take delivery of more than 30 new aircraft during 2026 from its order books with Boeing, Airbus, and ATR, as part of its plans to continue expanding its fleet and reinforcing its presence in the global aircraft leasing market.
Tarapore told Al Bayan in exclusive comments that the company is also targeting the acquisition of additional assets worth up to $3 billion (AED 11 billion) during the current year, as part of its strategy aimed at supporting sustainable growth and expanding its aircraft portfolio.
He noted that global demand for commercial aircraft remains very high, which is creating strong opportunities for leasing companies to capitalise on the growth in global air travel.
He explained that Dubai Aerospace Enterprise adopts a diversified, multi-strategy approach to achieving growth, having acquired more than 300 aircraft over the past three years through mergers and acquisitions, as well as direct purchases from manufacturers.
He added that the company's strategy also includes executing sale-and-leaseback transactions, in addition to trading in the secondary aircraft market, which affords it greater flexibility in asset management and return maximisation.
Tarapore affirmed that this diversity in growth sources is helping to strengthen Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's position as one of the world's leading aircraft leasing companies, amid continued strong demand from airlines around the world for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.
He said that Dubai's economic environment — encompassing its transport, logistics, and hospitality sectors — has contributed to supporting GDP growth, at a time when the emirate continues to consolidate its standing as a global destination for living, working, and investment, a factor that supports Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's ambitions for global expansion.