AerCap Holdings Business Model Canvas

AerCap's relationships with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers are crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and value of its extensive aircraft portfolio. These collaborations ensure that the fleet adheres to stringent safety regulations and operational standards, which is vital for attracting and retaining lessees.

These partnerships are fundamental to the seamless operation and lifecycle management of AerCap's leased assets. By outsourcing complex technical work to specialized MROs, AerCap can focus on its core leasing business while ensuring its aircraft remain in optimal condition, thereby maximizing their economic life and leaseability.

A prime example of this strategic collaboration is AerCap's 2025 agreement with Caerdav, a UK-based MRO specialist. This partnership specifically targets the maintenance of narrowbody aircraft, underscoring AerCap's commitment to leveraging expert third-party services for critical technical upkeep.

AerCap's key partnerships extend to aircraft lessors and financial institutions, crucial for fleet management and capital access. In 2024, AerCap arranged approximately US$17.5 billion in financing, demonstrating the vital role of financial partners in supporting its large-scale operations. These alliances also facilitate secondary market transactions, enhancing portfolio flexibility and asset repositioning.

AerCap Holdings actively manages a vast portfolio of aircraft assets, offering extensive management services to investors and owners. This includes remarketing aircraft, meticulously monitoring maintenance schedules, ensuring adherence to contract terms, and overseeing the complex process of aircraft deliveries and redeliveries.

This diversified approach is a core strength, drawing upon AerCap's profound industry knowledge and extensive global network. For instance, as of December 31, 2023, AerCap’s fleet comprised 3,650 aircraft, with a significant portion managed on behalf of third parties, underscoring the scale and importance of these asset management activities.

AerCap's key activities revolve around acquiring, leasing, managing, and selling aviation assets. This includes sourcing new and used aircraft, engines, and helicopters, and then placing them with airlines globally through various lease agreements. The company also actively manages a portfolio of aircraft on behalf of third parties, providing comprehensive asset management services.

Furthermore, AerCap engages in the strategic sale of its aviation assets to optimize its portfolio and realize value, demonstrating a dynamic approach to fleet management. Crucially, robust financing and capital management activities underpin these operations, ensuring the company can fund its substantial asset base and growth initiatives.

AerCap's extensive global network, featuring offices in vital aviation centers like Dublin, Shannon, Miami, Singapore, and Dubai, underpins its worldwide operations. This strategically placed infrastructure is crucial for delivering exceptional customer service and managing its vast aircraft portfolio effectively.

This robust operational infrastructure allows AerCap to maintain close relationships with airlines across the globe, facilitating efficient aircraft leasing, sales, and technical support. As of the first quarter of 2024, AerCap managed a fleet of 1,570 aircraft, highlighting the scale and complexity its network must support.

AerCap's most critical resources are its vast and modern aircraft fleet, substantial financial capital, a global operational network, and deep industry expertise. These elements collectively enable the company to maintain its leadership position in aircraft leasing.

As of the close of 2024, AerCap managed a fleet of 3,525 assets, with owned aircraft averaging a young 7.4 years old. By June 30, 2025, the company's total assets were valued at $73.6 billion, supported by approximately $22 billion in liquidity.

The company's global presence, with offices in key aviation hubs, ensures efficient management and customer support. This infrastructure, combined with a skilled workforce possessing expertise in aviation finance, asset management, and legal matters, underpins AerCap's operational success and competitive edge.

AerCap's strong brand reputation and extensive network of around 300 airline customers are vital intangible assets, fostering trust and driving repeat business.

AerCap provides airlines with comprehensive fleet management services, extending far beyond simple aircraft leasing. This includes vital technical oversight, proactive maintenance scheduling, and seamless management of aircraft transitions at the end of lease agreements.

These integrated services significantly alleviate the operational burdens airlines face, freeing up their resources and management attention to concentrate on their primary mission: safe and efficient flight operations.

For instance, in 2024, AerCap managed a diverse portfolio of over 3,600 aircraft, demonstrating its capacity to handle complex logistical and technical requirements for a global customer base.

AerCap provides airlines with unparalleled access to a diverse, modern, and fuel-efficient fleet, enabling them to meet evolving passenger demands and environmental standards. This access is crucial for airlines aiming to optimize operational costs and enhance their passenger experience. For example, in 2024, the increasing focus on sustainability means airlines are actively seeking newer generation aircraft, which AerCap readily supplies.

By offering flexible leasing structures, AerCap allows airlines to avoid the substantial capital outlay and long-term commitment of aircraft ownership. This financial agility is critical in the often-unpredictable aviation sector, allowing carriers to maintain strong balance sheets and redirect capital to other strategic initiatives.

AerCap's comprehensive fleet management services, including technical oversight and maintenance, significantly reduce the operational burden on airlines. This allows carriers to focus on their core competencies of safe and efficient flight operations, supported by AerCap's expertise in managing a vast global portfolio, which in 2024 comprised over 3,600 aircraft.

AerCap's core value proposition lies in its ability to mitigate risks associated with aircraft ownership, such as obsolescence and residual value fluctuations. By leasing from AerCap, airlines transfer these financial and operational risks, gaining stability and predictability. This is exemplified by AerCap's proactive management of aircraft lifecycles, ensuring customers are consistently placed in newer, more efficient assets.

AerCap provides extensive technical and operational support, a key element in their customer relationships. This includes aiding lessees with crucial aircraft maintenance, managing complex configuration changes, and ensuring seamless aircraft transitions between lessees.

This hands-on support is vital for their clients, directly contributing to maintaining high levels of aircraft readiness and overall operational efficiency. For instance, in 2023, AerCap managed a fleet of over 3,600 aircraft, underscoring the scale of their operational support capabilities.

AerCap's customer relationships are built on a foundation of proactive engagement and tailored support, fostering long-term partnerships with airlines globally.

This is achieved through dedicated account management, a global support network, and a commitment to integrating client feedback for continuous service enhancement.

Their approach emphasizes anticipating needs and providing solutions, as seen in their extensive operational support which managed over 3,600 aircraft in 2023.

AerCap also acts as a strategic advisor, guiding airlines on fleet strategy and market trends, a role that became even more critical in 2024 as the industry navigated technological advancements and sustainability initiatives.

AerCap's global office network, with key locations in Dublin, Miami, Singapore, and Dubai, acts as a crucial touchpoint for its worldwide clientele. This widespread presence ensures proximity to customers, fostering robust relationships and enabling efficient service delivery.

As of the first quarter of 2024, AerCap operated offices in over 20 locations, strategically positioned in major aviation markets. This extensive network supports its business model by facilitating direct engagement with airlines, crucial for lease negotiations and ongoing asset management.

AerCap's channels are multifaceted, blending direct sales engagement with strategic participation in industry events and a robust digital presence. This combination ensures broad market reach and deep client relationships.

The company's global office network and dedicated sales teams facilitate close proximity to airlines, enabling efficient negotiation and service delivery. In 2024, AerCap's presence in over 20 locations underscored its commitment to direct customer interaction.

Digital platforms, including its website and investor relations portal, provide transparent communication and access to key performance data, such as a 99.0% aircraft utilization rate reported in Q1 2024. These channels are vital for informing a diverse stakeholder base.

Leveraging established industry relationships and a strong reputation, AerCap consistently benefits from referral business and repeat customers, a trend that continued to drive new leasing opportunities throughout 2024.

Air cargo operators, a vital segment for AerCap, include companies focused on e-commerce and express delivery. These businesses rely on AerCap's specialized freighter aircraft and engine leasing to meet the growing demand for rapid global shipping. AerCap Cargo, a key part of this business, manages a fleet exceeding 120 aircraft.

AerCap serves a diverse array of customer segments within the aviation industry. These include global full-service airlines, low-cost carriers (LCCs), and air cargo operators, each with distinct fleet needs and operational strategies. The company also caters to regional airlines requiring specialized aircraft and flexible leasing solutions, as well as aircraft owners and financial investors seeking to manage or invest in aviation assets.

Operating and administrative expenses are the backbone of AerCap's global operations, encompassing everything from employee compensation and benefits to the costs of maintaining office spaces worldwide. These essential overheads also include crucial services like legal counsel and other administrative necessities that keep the company running smoothly.

For the second quarter of 2025, AerCap reported selling, general, and administrative expenses totaling $171 million. This figure reflects the significant investment required to manage a complex, international leasing business with a vast fleet and diverse customer base.

AerCap's cost structure is heavily influenced by the initial acquisition of aircraft and the subsequent management of associated debt, with an average cost of debt at 4.1% in Q2 2025. Significant ongoing expenses include fleet maintenance, repair, and overhaul, with leasing expenses totaling $95 million in Q2 2025. Operating and administrative costs, including selling, general, and administrative expenses of $171 million in Q2 2025, are also substantial.

Maintenance rents and other receipts represent a crucial revenue stream for AerCap, encompassing payments from lessees for maintenance reserves and end-of-lease adjustments. This category also includes various other contractual receipts that contribute to the company's overall income.

For the second quarter of 2025, AerCap reported that maintenance rents and other receipts generated $115 million. This figure highlights the significance of these ancillary payments in supporting the company's financial performance beyond base lease payments.

AerCap's revenue streams are diverse, ranging from core lease rentals to asset sales and management services.

In the second quarter of 2025, lease rentals were the dominant source, bringing in $1.653 billion, while asset sales contributed $57 million in net gains.

Ancillary income from maintenance rents and other receipts added $115 million in Q2 2025, showcasing the importance of these additional payments.

The company also leverages its expertise by managing third-party aircraft portfolios, diversifying its income beyond its owned fleet.