SMBC Aero Engine Lease B.V. (SAEL)
SMBC Aero Engine Lease (SAEL) is an Amsterdam-based global engine lessor whose origins began in 2013 as a joint venture between the Japanese Sumitomo Corporation and German MTU Aero Engines. SAEL is currently 100% owned by leading Japanese general leasing company, Sumitomo Mitsui Financing and leasing Company (SMFL), and SMFL is also a majority shareholder of SMBC Aviation Capital, a top-tier aircraft lessor based in Dublin.
With its group companies, SAEL provides customers with a wide range of product line-ups all over the world. Moreover, SAEL partners with global commercial airlines to provide bespoke spare engine financing and leasing solutions that enable them to fund their spare engine acquisitions, cater to their dynamic fleet needs, and support their engine maintenance planning to ensure operational readiness and aircraft availability. SAEL engages in engine trading by collaborating extensively with engine investors and traders to maximize investment value and residual value risk. SAEL provides opportunities for investors to invest in engine leasing by leveraging its domain expertise, robust industry network, and airline customer relationships.
We’ve also expanded our presence by providing competitive financing solutions and ensuring timely spare engine availability to support global airlines, MROs, OEMs, and lessors in effectively managing the engine life cycle.
Corporate Structure and Business Model
SAEL has been built from a clean canvas of passionate aviation professionals from diverse aviation backgrounds and led by a Management team of industry experts who have navigated several aviation industry cycles and witnessed the evolution of jet engines. Backed by one of the global leading Japanese financial institutions, SMFL, with extensive financial capabilities and long term-commitment to the engine leasing business, we pride ourselves on our organic growth strategy. The company operates centrally from its headquarters in Amsterdam with a customer-centric multicultural team of over 25 employees from more than ten different nationalities. With the rapid growth of the global airline industry and jet engine life cycle touchpoints, SAEL’s mantra is in proactive collaboration with our airline customers to maximize their aircraft availability and ensure return on assets with our industry partners.
History and Milestones
SAEL has celebrated five key milestones since its inception in 2013:
Shareholder
Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL)
SMFL is a leading Japanese leasing company established in 1963. It has an extensive history going back to its origination as a leasing business in Japan in 1968. SMFL is 50/50 owned by Sumitomo Corporation and SMBC Group and provides leasing and financial solutions and associated services appropriate to the diverse needs of clients by taking advantage of its abundant experience and past performance results accumulated over the years.
SMFL’s aircraft leasing operations expanded further in 2012 through the acquisition of RBS and rebranding to SMBC Aviation Capital (SMBC-AC). The consortium which was formed with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation expanded aircraft leasing operations via the Goshawk acquisition, making SMBC-AC one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors.
SMFL also entered into the helicopter leasing business in 2020 through a joint venture with LCI Investment Limited, and keeps diversifying its commitment to the aviation industry.
* For more information about each party, please visit the following websites.