Blackstone has partnered with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise to launch an aircraft leasing programme targeting approximately $1.6bn in annual investments.

The programme, branded “Equator”, will acquire commercial aircraft leased to airlines worldwide, building a diversified portfolio across geographies, counterparties, and aircraft types. Blackstone will provide capital across the structure, while DAE will originate and manage assets through its Aircraft Investor Services platform.

DAE currently manages, owns, and has commitments for approximately 700 aircraft, including more than 100 aircraft valued at over $4bn under management.

The initiative highlights private equity’s growing interest in asset-backed strategies, where investments are supported by tangible assets and long-term contractual cash flows.

Aneek Mamik, Senior Managing Director at BXCI, said, “We are pleased to expand our aviation capabilities alongside DAE, a leading aircraft lessor with deep technical expertise and longstanding relationships with airlines and OEMs,” and added, “This program underscores BXCI’s focus on deploying flexible capital into high-quality investments backed by hard assets.”

The programme will draw capital from Blackstone-managed funds as well as strategic partners, including ITE Management, broadening the investor base behind the initiative.

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