Air Lease Completes Merger with Sumisho Air Lease Corporation

The $65 per share cash deal will see Air Lease become a subsidiary of the Dublin-based holding company.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal airplane model, a stack of financial documents, and a pen, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to conceptually represent the corporate strategy and financial aspects of an aircraft leasing industry merger.The merger of two major aircraft leasing companies creates a stronger, more globally competitive platform in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.Los Angeles Today

Air Lease (NYSE: AL) announced that it has received the final regulatory approval needed to complete its previously announced merger with a subsidiary of Sumisho Air Lease Corporation DAC, a holding company based in Dublin, Ireland. The all-cash deal will see Air Lease's Class A common stockholders receive $65 per share, while the company's preferred stock will remain outstanding under the new ownership structure. The merged entity will be renamed Sumisho Air Lease Corporation.

Why it matters

The merger brings together two major players in the aircraft leasing industry, creating a combined company with a larger global footprint and more financial resources to compete in the rapidly evolving aviation market. For Air Lease shareholders, the all-cash deal provides liquidity at a premium valuation compared to the company's recent trading price.

The details

Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon completion of the deal, Air Lease's Class A common stockholders will receive $65 in cash per share, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. The company's outstanding preferred stock will also remain in place under the new ownership structure. Air Lease expects to complete the merger on or around April 8, 2026, once the remaining closing conditions are satisfied.

  • Air Lease announced the merger in November 2025.
  • The company received the final regulatory approval needed to close the deal on March 30, 2026.
  • The merger is expected to be completed on or around April 8, 2026.

The players

Air Lease

A leading global aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that leases commercial aircraft to airlines worldwide.

Sumisho Air Lease Corporation DAC

A holding company based in Dublin, Ireland whose shares at closing will be held directly or indirectly by Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital Limited and investment vehicles affiliated with Apollo managed funds and Brookfield.

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What’s next

The merger is expected to close on or around April 8, 2026, once the remaining closing conditions are satisfied.

The takeaway

This deal brings together two major players in the aircraft leasing industry, positioning the combined company to better compete in the rapidly evolving aviation market. For Air Lease shareholders, the all-cash transaction provides liquidity at a premium valuation.