Ireland continues to lead in aircraft leasing

Ireland is considered the birthplace of aircraft leasing and is recognised as the number one location globally in the sector.

In recent years, the number of aircraft operating on lease finance has steadily increased from less than 2% of the global aircraft fleet funded in this manner in 1980 to around 40% in 2014 according to Boeing Aircraft Corporation.

However, the penetration of operating leases as a means of financing aircraft increased most rapidly in the period after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, rising from 25% in 2000 to 40% in 2014 . The main driver of the change was as a result of the commercial banks, previously the main source of aircraft financing, reducing their airline exposure in the wake of 9/11. This was to happen again in aftermath of the Lehman Brothers collapse.