Bridgepoint, Bahrain-headquartered GFH Bank and AIP Capital have formed a strategic partnership to build a commercial aircraft-engine investment and leasing platform with a target portfolio exceeding $1 billion. The platform will acquire and lease current- and next-generation engines, including models supporting Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets, for airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul providers and other operators.
GFH will serve as cornerstone investor and strategic partner, committing significant but undisclosed capital in its first move into aviation. Bridgepoint funds will also invest, while the partners plan to raise additional capital from institutional and private-wealth investors as the platform expands.
The investment strategy covers direct manufacturer purchases, airline sale-and-leaseback transactions, secondary-market acquisitions and finance leases. AIP Capital will lead sourcing, asset management and portfolio trading, supported by its technical, legal and servicing capabilities and relationships across the aviation supply chain.
The partnership builds on Bridgepoint and AIP Capital’s collaboration, which began in 2024 with an initial portfolio of CFM LEAP-1B engines. In July 2026, the two firms agreed to acquire a further 11 LEAP-1B engines from CFM International. The partners cite extended maintenance turnaround times, aircraft-delivery backlogs and continuing air-travel growth as drivers of demand for spare and replacement engines.