KKR Commits $1.4 Billion to Aircraft Leasing with Altavair

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Key Terms

aircraft leasing technical

Aircraft leasing is a business where companies buy airplanes and rent them to airlines for a set period, often taking care of registration, financing and sometimes maintenance—like a car rental company for airlines. Investors watch this sector because it turns expensive, long-lived planes into steady rental income and exposes owners to airline demand, interest rates and how much the aircraft will be worth later, all of which affect cash flow and risk.

sale leasebacks financial

A sale-leaseback is a deal where a company sells an asset it owns—often a building or equipment—and then immediately rents the same asset back so it can keep using it. Think of it like selling your house to free cash and signing a lease to continue living there. Investors care because it turns owned assets into cash, changes ongoing expenses and reported assets, and can signal how management is funding growth or managing debt.

asset-based finance financial

Asset-based finance is a type of lending where a company borrows money using tangible assets—such as accounts receivable (invoices), inventory, or equipment—as security, similar to using a valuable item as collateral at a pawn shop. Investors care because it affects a firm's access to cash and its risk profile: more asset-backed borrowing can provide quick funding but also ties borrowing limits to the value and liquidity of those assets.

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06/17/2026 - 07:00 AM

New commitment expands long-standing strategic partnership and builds on the success of two prior aircraft leasing portfolios

NEW YORK & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Altavair, a leader in commercial aviation leasing and financing, today announced that KKR is making a $1.4 billion equity commitment to continue expanding its global portfolio of leased commercial aircraft in partnership with Altavair. The latest commitment builds on two prior aircraft leasing portfolios created in partnership with Altavair. The investment will primarily come from KKR’s Infrastructure and Asset-Based Finance strategies.

“Nearly a decade of strategic partnership with Altavair has deepened our conviction in the attractiveness of aircraft leasing, which we believe is poised to grow even further as demand for air travel continues to rise and airlines seek more liquidity and fleet flexibility,” said Brandon Freiman, Partner and Head of North American Infrastructure at KKR.

KKR-managed funds have committed more than $8 billion to aircraft leasing and lending transactions since KKR formed a strategic partnership with Altavair in 2018. Over that time, KKR and Altavair have acquired 188 commercial aircraft and engine assets through a variety of transactions, including lessor trades, airline-direct new and used sale leasebacks, passenger-to-freight conversions, and structured transactions, and in the process have leased aircraft and engines to 67 leading airline and cargo operators around the world.

“We are pleased to deepen our long-standing relationship with Altavair and strengthen our commitment to the aviation sector through our Asset-Based Finance strategy,” said Daniel Pietrzak, Partner and Global Head of Private Credit at KKR. “The success of our strategic partnership is a testament to the power of combining our patient, long-term capital with Altavair’s deep industry expertise and differentiated sourcing capabilities.”

“Our strategic partnership with KKR has grown stronger over the past eight years, and this latest commitment reflects the trust we have built together,” said Steve Rimmer, CEO of Altavair. “KKR’s expertise, and long-term capital have helped build Altavair into the platform it is today. As airlines face significant fleet funding needs in the coming years, this expanded commitment positions us to be an even stronger partner and supporter across the aviation ecosystem.”

KKR has invested more than $12 billion of capital in the aviation sector since 2015. Investments include Altavair, AV AirFinance, Atlantic Aviation, KKR DVB Aviation Capital, K2 Aviation, and others.

About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

About Altavair
Altavair is an aviation asset manager focusing on the acquisition of new and used commercial aircraft for leasing to domestic and international passenger airlines and cargo operators. Since its inception in 2003, Altavair has completed over $14.5 billion in commercial aircraft lease transactions with over 80 airline customers in 50 countries representing over 300 individual Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Altavair maintains offices in Seattle, Dublin, London, and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.altavair.com.