Japan’s Itochu takes stake in Abu Dhabi-based Sirius Aviation

Abu Dhabi aviation is drawing another global player into its orbit. Itochu, one of Japan’s largest trading and investment firms, acquired a stake in Abu Dhabi-based aircraft lessor Sirius Aviation Capital, according to a press release. The investment size and price of the stake weren’t disclosed.

Post-transaction: Sirius is owned by Mubadala and Alpha Wave Global-backed Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners, with Itochu joining as a shareholder. Itochu will combine Sirius’ network with its own 90 aircraft and engines. Currently, Sirius leases mid-life aircraft to airlines internationally and also handles acquisitions, debt financing, and lease management.

Why it matters: Airlines are desperate for aircraft they can’t get from manufacturers — Airbus and Boeing’s combined order backlog now stands at over 11 years, and the chronic delivery delays are pushing lease rates higher. That makes mid-life lessors like Sirius — which specializes in aircraft that are already built and flying — increasingly valuable.

The scale of the backlog is striking: At the start of 2026, Airbus and Boeing had a combined backlog of over 3k aircraft for the UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia alone — more than double those markets’ current combined fleets — with only 900 deliveries slated for the next three years.

Not the only ones: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise partnered with Blackstone Credit and Ins. in April to launch an aircraft leasing investment platform, targeting USD 1.6 bn in annual deployment.