Emirates buys six A380s it currently leases from Qatar’s Lesha Bank

Emirates is buying six Airbus A380s it currently leases from Qatar’s Lesha Bank. The bank is selling the superjumbos through its Lesha Aviation Fund, according to a press release. Ownership of two has already transferred, and the other four will follow in stages as their leases expire, the last by April 2028. The transaction value wasn’t disclosed.

Lesha is still a net buyer of aircraft: The bank agreed to acquire aircraft lessor Amedeo Air Four Plus for around GBP 190 mn earlier this year. Amedeo owns 12 widebody aircraft — including six A380s, two Boeing 777-300ERs, and four Airbus A350-900s. The bank subsequently agreed to acquire 33 leased aircraft from Avolon in September, a transaction expected to push its closed portfolio beyond 75 aircraft.

Emirates is keeping its older widebodies flying longer. The airline is extending the life of its existing widebody fleet as Boeing 777X delays continue. Emirates now expects only three to five 777Xs in late 2027, with potentially another 10 arriving in 2028, against a total order of 270 aircraft.

Emirates is also exploring other ways to finance its fleet: The airline has secured a 12-year shariah-compliant French leasing arrangement with Dubai Islamic Bank and Natixis CIB to finance two Airbus A350-900 aircraft this year, adding another financing structure to its fleet investment strategy.