Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo-managed funds and Brookfield have completed their acquisition of Air Lease Corporation, renaming it Sumisho Air Lease Corporation.
The transaction, first announced in September 2025, involved a definitive agreement to purchase all shares of the U.S.-based aircraft lessor for approximately $7.4 billion in a 100% cash deal. Air Lease stockholders received $65 per share of Class A common stock. The deal received final regulatory approval, with closure occurring on or about April 8, 2026, after satisfying remaining conditions outlined in a November 2025 SEC proxy statement.
Sumisho Air Lease, established as an Irish designated activity company, maintains a portfolio focused on new-technology aircraft. SMBC Aviation Capital will service most of its fleet, expanding its own portfolio from 1,010 aircraft—currently second globally—to combine with Air Lease’s 830 aircraft, positioning the Sumitomo group among the largest lessors worldwide by fleet size.
Committed financing of $12.1 billion came from SMBC, Citi and Goldman Sachs Bank USA. The acquisition followed unanimous board approval from Air Lease and stockholder votes in favor from directors and certain executives. Sumitomo Corporation holds a 37.505% stake in the new entity.