Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has forged a new partnership with Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI) to launch a commercial aircraft leasing vehicle branded Equator.

The sidecar venture will focus on acquiring commercial aircraft leased to airlines worldwide, with a targeted annual investment of approximately $1.6 billion, DAE said April 9. The initiative aims to build a diversified portfolio of aircraft assets serving leading carriers across international markets. 

Under the agreement, DAE will be responsible for sourcing aircraft from third parties, while its Aircraft Investor Services division will manage the portfolio on behalf of Equator.

“We see Blackstone’s scaled and flexible capital as a strong foundation to grow our third-party fleet management franchise,” DAE CEO Firoz Tarapore said.

He added that the company’s global reach and technical expertise position it well to support the long-term success of the new platform.

Aneek Mamik, senior managing director and head of financial services for Asset Based Finance at BXCI, said the partnership expands the firm’s aviation capabilities. “This program underscores BXCI’s focus on deploying flexible capital into high-quality investments backed by hard assets,” he said.

BXCI will provide a full spectrum of financing solutions to support Equator, drawing on capital from its investor base, including funds managed by its strategic partner ITE Management.

DAE is already one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors, with a fleet of around 700 aircraft. As of Dec. 31, 2025, more than 100 of those aircraft, valued at over $4 billion, were under management.

The company has also been active in expanding its footprint. Earlier this year, DAE agreed to acquire Macquarie AirFinance in a deal valued at $7 billion.