A350s, 787s, 737 MAXs and More Aircraft Sold

Airbus and Boeing jets, from the A350 to the 737 MAX, were purchased, sold, and traded during the third quarter, as leading aircraft lessor AerCap provided further insight into its dealings.

The lessor confirmed it made 85 lease agreements in three months, including the purchase of 32 aircraft and the sale of 65 jets, with its combined investment in new planes within owned and managed portfolios remaining important and improving.

The lessor’s 5 October transaction update showed 204 leasing, purchase, and sale transactions, including the engines and helicopter divisions, alongside approximately USD 783 million in share repurchases.

AerCap’s third quarter was busy, and the many transactions signified how it continues to progress as a leader in the industry for not just owning aircraft but critically providing finance options for companies.

32 aircraft purchased by AerCap

AerCap’s report identified 34 asset purchases during the quarter, including 32 aircraft for its owned portfolio, with the additional 2 coming from helicopters.

The aircraft acquisition component spanned several types, including eight Airbus A320neo family jets, 20 Boeing 737 MAX jets, two Boeing 787-9s, and two Embraer E195-E2s.

Narrowbody aircraft accounted for 28 of the 32 purchases, and the 737 MAX was the most popular during the quarter, with improved availability compared with the A320neo family and certainly the A321neo.

Purchases during the quarter also concentrated on next-generation offerings from Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, with short- and medium-haul jets complemented by widebodies. AerCap has built its composition across all airframe types but prides itself on reporting from June 2026, which indicated its aircraft on order now consist of 90% classified as new-technology.

For AerCap, it also confirmed that the 32 aircraft were not additional orders; instead, they were completed purchases as part of ongoing updates to its investment portfolio, reflecting increased activity.

Aircraft sales cover passenger and freight aircraft

AerCap also confirmed it completed 85 asset sale transactions covering 65 aircraft, 13 engines and seven helicopters. Of the aircraft sold, it said 52 came from its owned portfolio and 13 from its managed portfolio.

Airbus was a strong part of the quarter, with owned Airbus jets comprising 15 A320 family types, four A320neo family jets, one A321 freighter, three A330sw and three A350s. Meanwhile, AerCap sold seven 737NGs, two 737 MAX jets, nine 767 freighters, and two 777-200ERs. During the quarter, the company also sold four Embraer E190s and two E195-E2s.

The difference between sales and purchases was driven by the sale of older passenger aircraft, but was not limited to this, with some presence of next-generation models. Sales included the A320neo, A350, and 737 MAX.

Jet sales are integral to AerCap’s day-to-day responsibilities, and managing its portfolio reflects demand for particular aircraft types. To sell assets, the company must have an interest in them; from there, it can realise gains, recycle capital, and improve other investments.

Owned aircraft at AerCap represent the types it has directly invested in; managed assets are those it administers on behalf of other owners, so the 13 managed jet sales are not its own disposals but management activity.