Jens Flottau
October 14, 2025

AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly and SMBC CEO Peter Barrett

AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly (left) is facing strengthened competition from a larger SMBC, which has become the second-largest lessor globally under CEO Peter Barrett (right).

SMBC Aviation Capital’s plan to take over Air Lease Corp. with a group of investors would create a second giant in the global aircraft leasing industry. Following regulatory approval, the new company would substantially narrow the gap with AerCap, the current market leader. Industry watchers agree…

Jens Flottau

Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Jens is executive editor and leads Aviation Week Network’s global team of journalists covering commercial aviation.

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