Study Period | 2023 - 2030 |
Market Size (2025) | USD 224.89 Billion |
Market Size (2030) | USD 256.94 Billion |
CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 2.70 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | North America |
Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Analysis
The Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size is estimated at USD 224.89 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 256.94 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.7% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Various factors, such as the significant growth in advanced low-cost aircraft, increasing air passenger traffic, and surge in the volume of air freight, are the major factors that will drive the growth of the commercial aircraft leasing market in the near future. The growing desire among passengers for air travel has resulted in a significant increase in global passenger traffic. Furthermore, stricter safety standards have now led to a growing emphasis on improving passenger safety and protection, reducing the number of fatalities associated with air travel.
The dramatic increase in the number of air passengers worldwide, combined with the surge in freight volume and the continuous advancements in aircraft and airport infrastructure, particularly in developing countries, can be a few major growth drivers in the industry. In addition, since aircraft leasing provides a balance sheet and tax benefits, its demand is expected to increase during the forecast period.
Moreover, commercial aircraft leasing is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing aircraft that can benefit businesses. In addition, advancements in aircraft and airport infrastructure and significant growth of urban air mobility (UAM) solutions are the factors expected to offer opportunity for the growth of the commercial aircraft leasing market during the forecast period.
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Trends
By Lease Type, Wet Lease is Projected to Witness Highest Growth During the Forecast Period.
By lease type, the wet lease is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The main factors contributing to the growth of wet leases can be attributed to the increasing number of air traffic passengers. There has been an increase in air passenger traffic worldwide in recent years. According to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there has been strong demand growth in air travel for March 2023. As of March 2023, the global air passenger traffic volume, measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs, witnessed a YoY growth of 52.4% and is now at 88.0% of the pre-COVID (March 2019) levels.
Wet lease refers to the leasing type in which the airline company acquires the aircraft from another carrier and gets not just the aircraft. Still, it also has its crew, maintenance staff, and insurance, but it has to cover operating costs, such as fuel and airport fees, on its own. Airlines rely on wet leasing to ensure smooth operations during peak times, to deal with delays, or to test new routes. Wet-lease aircraft also reduce service disruption in the event of unforeseen situations, such as a lack of available crew or technical faults, and counter potential surges in airfares. Another reason airlines wet lease is to save costs on aircraft is that wet leasing allows them to avoid massive lumpsum payments that upfront purchases incorporate.
In addition, governments worldwide are now pushing toward wet leasing options. For instance, in November 2022, the Civil Aviation Ministry of India allowed airlines to take wide-body planes on wet leases for up to one year. This has been done to boost international air traffic. This regulatory incentive will be available to all Indian carriers and will be granted based on the global destinations they operate. Moreover, the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions owing to the decline in the pandemic has increased the demand for international travel. Using wet leasing options will lead various airline companies in India to add more flights on short notice, helping airlines cater to the rising demand. This in turn will lead a positive outlook and will lead to a significant growth in the market during the forecast period.
North America To Witness Significant Growth During The Forecast Period
North America is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. There has been growth in the number of air passenger traffic in North America. As per the January 2022 data release of the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the US's international air passenger traffic (arrival and departure) in January 2022 witnessed a YoY growth of 128% and amounted to 10.736 million.
Moreover, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines in the US carried 75.1 million passengers (domestic and international) in September 2022. The increase in air passenger traffic, coupled with the increasing number of aircraft deliveries in the US, will lead to the market witnessing growth in the near future. For instance, in November 2022, iAero Airways announced they had wet-leased four B737-800s from Sun Express to operate winter charters from its Miami International base. Moreover, various financing companies in the US, such as flight leases, will lead to a positive outlook and the growth of the commercial aircraft leasing market in the North American region during the forecast period.
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Industry Overview
The commercial aircraft leasing market is fragmented, with several players vying to gain market share at competitive price points. Some of the prominent players in the market are Boeing Capital Corporation, AerCap Holdings N.V., Avation PLC, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, and Textron Financial Corporation, amongst others.
These companies have expanded their presence in various regions to provide flexible financing options, which will help the aviation industry carry out its operations effectively and efficiently. As market demand improves with the growth in aviation operations worldwide, it is expected that smaller players will be acquired to gain a competitive advantage and cater to customers’ needs.
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Leaders
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Boeing Capital Corporation
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AerCap Holdings N.V.
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Avation PLC
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Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
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Textron Financial Corporation
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
![Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Concentration Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Concentration](https://s3.mordorintelligence.com/commercial-aircraft-leasing-market/1732256316218-commercial-aircraft-leasing-market-commercial-aircraft-leasing-market-Competitive-Landscape.png)
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market News
- February 2024: Thai Airways International awarded AerCap a leasing contract for 17 aircraft, including A350s, A321neos, and B787s, as part of the airline's fleet rebuilding plan, which aims to increase its operational fleet to 90 aircraft by 2025.
- January 2023: VAH, or Voyager Aviation Holdings, announced that the company recently delivered another new Airbus A220-300 on a long-term lease to Breeze Airways. Moreover, VAH has agreed to provide five more aircraft under a further sale and leaseback transaction.
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Industry Segmentation
The practice of leasing aircraft to aircraft operators to increase capacity and operate the aircraft without incurring the financial burden of purchasing the aircraft is known as commercial aircraft leasing. Moreover, an aircraft lease is a legally documented agreement between two parties that consists of a lessor and a lessee. The lessor agrees to provide the aircraft for a particular duration to the lessee for periodic lease payments. In addition, the leasing company uses its capital to purchase the aircraft. It provides it to the operator in exchange for a monthly or annual payment for its usage, which normally lasts for a short period and does not exceed 10 years.
The commercial aircraft leasing market is segmented based on lease type, aircraft type, and geography. By lease type, it is segmented into dry lease and wet lease. By aircraft type, it is segmented into narrowbody, widebody, and regional jets. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the commercial aircraft leasing market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).
Lease Type | Dry Lease | ||
Wet Lease | |||
Aircraft Type | Narrow Body Aircraft | ||
Wide Body Aircraft | |||
Geography | North America | United States | |
Canada | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
France | |||
Russia | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
Japan | |||
India | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
Latin America | Brazil | ||
Mexico | |||
Rest of Latin America | |||
Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
United Arab Emirates | |||
Kuwait | |||
Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Market Research Faqs
How big is the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market?
The Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size is expected to reach USD 224.89 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 2.70% to reach USD 256.94 billion by 2030.
What is the current Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size?
In 2025, the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size is expected to reach USD 224.89 billion.
Who are the key players in Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market?
Boeing Capital Corporation, AerCap Holdings N.V., Avation PLC, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Textron Financial Corporation are the major companies operating in the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market.
What years does this Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size was estimated at USD 218.82 billion. The report covers the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market historical market size for years: 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Commercial Aircraft Leasing market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Commercial Aircraft Leasing analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.