FTAI Aviation Expands Relationship with Air France Through Transaction Focused on End-of-Life Fleet Strategy
Rhea-AI Summary
FTAI Aviation (NASDAQ: FTAI) closed an acquisition on Feb 17, 2026 of seven off-lease Airbus narrowbody aircraft from Air France to support end-of-life fleet strategy.
The purchase includes one A318-100, four A319-100, and two A321-200, intended to provide engine and module feedstock for FTAI's Aerospace Products and Power platforms and to bolster MRE solutions.
Positive
- Acquired seven off-lease Airbus narrowbodies (1 A318, 4 A319, 2 A321)
- Increases CFM56 feedstock for engine repair and module remanufacture
- Supports Aerospace Products and Power platforms, expanding repair inventory and service capacity
- Strengthens partnership with Air France for fleet transition support
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
FTAI was up 1.83% with sector peers also positive: AER +2.04%, UHAL +1.95%, URI +0.27%, AL +0.03%, GATX +1.08%. However, the momentum scanner did not flag a coordinated sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 12 | Executive changes | Positive | +3.3% | Internal promotions to President and COO roles to support growth. |
| Jan 22 | OEM materials deal | Positive | +2.3% | Multi-year CFM International agreement for CFM56 component and repair support. |
| Jan 20 | Earnings timing | Neutral | +2.4% | Announcement of dates for Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and call. |
| Dec 30 | AI power platform | Positive | +14.4% | Launch of FTAI Power converting CFM56 engines to 25MW turbines for AI demand. |
| Nov 17 | AI partnership | Positive | -3.5% | Multi-year Palantir partnership to deploy AI platform across maintenance footprint. |
Recent strategic and partnership announcements have generally coincided with positive 24h price reactions, with one notable divergence on a major AI-related partnership.
Over the last few months, FTAI reported multiple growth-oriented developments, including executive appointments on Feb 12, 2026, a multi-year CFM56 materials agreement on Jan 22, 2026, and the upcoming Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call set for Feb 25–26, 2026. Earlier, the company launched its FTAI Power platform targeting AI-driven power demand and entered a strategic partnership with Palantir to enhance engine maintenance and exchange. Today’s Airbus acquisition continues this pattern of scaling CFM56-related assets and capabilities for its Aerospace Products and Power platforms.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands FTAI’s relationship with Air France through the purchase of seven off-lease Airbus narrowbody aircraft, adding CFM56 engine and module feedstock for its Aerospace Products and Power platforms. It complements earlier CFM56 support agreements and the FTAI Power initiative targeting AI-driven power demand. Investors may watch how efficiently FTAI monetizes these end-of-life assets via maintenance, repair and exchange solutions, and how this integrates with upcoming earnings disclosures and existing CFM56-focused partnerships.
Key Terms
cfm56 engines technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Initial Acquisition Consists of Purchase of Seven Current Generation Airbus Aircraft
NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTAI; the “Company”) today announced that it has closed the acquisition of seven off-lease Airbus aircraft from Air France to assist the airline in the continued modernization of its narrowbody fleet. The transaction includes one A318-100 aircraft, four A319-100 aircraft, and two A321-200 aircraft.
“We are pleased to partner with Air France and secure additional engine and module feedstock for our Aerospace Products and Power platforms,” said Stacy Kuperus, Chief Operating Officer at FTAI Aviation. “As demand for our Maintenance, Repair and Exchange solutions continues to grow, expanding access to CFM56 engines is critical. We appreciate the long-standing partnership and look forward to supporting Air France’s evolving fleet strategy in the future.”
This strategic transaction demonstrates FTAI’s differentiated ability to create asset value through its innovative engine repair capabilities and highlights the Company’s commitment to delivering flexible, comprehensive fleet management solutions for global airline partners.
About FTAI
FTAI combines advanced turbine technology and asset ownership to power the world’s most essential markets. Additional information is available at https://www.ftaiaviation.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, the continued growth of demand for the Company’s Maintenance, Repair and Exchange solutions. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained, and such differences may be material. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Company’s website (www.ftaiaviation.com). In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Nothing on the Company’s website is included or incorporated by reference herein.
For further information, please contact:
Alan Andreini
Investor Relations
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(646) 734-9414
aandreini@ftaiaviation.com
Media:
Tim Lynch / Kelly Sullivan
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
FAQ
What did FTAI (FTAI) acquire from Air France on Feb 17, 2026?
How will the Air France aircraft purchase affect FTAI's engine supply (FTAI)?
Why did Air France sell seven aircraft to FTAI (FTAI) in February 2026?
Which specific Airbus types did FTAI (FTAI) acquire from Air France?
What business units benefit at FTAI (FTAI) from the Air France transaction?
