ABL Aviation Wins “Structured Finance Deal of the Year” at Airline Economics Dubai 2025

Dubai, UAE – 03 October 2025

ABL Aviation, a global independent aircraft investment management firm, has been named the winner of the “Structured Finance Deal of the Year” at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 Awards, held during the Airline Economics Dubai 2025 conference.

The recognition celebrates the firm’s role in arranging a complex Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) transaction for six Airbus A350-900 aircraft on lease to Emirates, one of the world’s leading airlines. The structure was arranged and led by ABL Aviation, with debt financing provided by HSBC Middle East. Legal advisors included Nishimura & Asahi and Norton Rose Fulbright’s Dubai office.

The award-winning mandate covers six Airbus A350-900 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, with deliveries phased throughout 2025. The first three aircraft were successfully delivered in January, March, and May, followed by a fourth in June. The remaining two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in October and November 2025, respectively. This staggered approach allows Emirates to strategically align fleet induction with its long-term operational and financial planning.

“We are honoured to be recognised with this award for Structured Finance Deal of the Year,” said Ali Ben Lmadani, Founder and CEO of ABL Aviation. “This transaction is a testament to the power of global collaboration: bringing together Japanese equity, Middle Eastern banking, and world-class legal and technical expertise. We are proud to support Emirates, one of the most respected names in aviation, with a financing structure that reflects both discipline and creativity.”

He added, “This deal also underscores the strategic importance of our presence in Dubai. It enabled us to work closely with Emirates throughout the process and to ensure on-the-ground execution and relationship management. We thank all our partners for their trust and commitment in making this a success.”

The Airline Economics Aviation 100 Awards are among the most respected in the aviation finance sector, honouring excellence across asset management, leasing, and capital markets. ABL Aviation’s win this year further affirms the firm’s leadership in structured finance and its growing impact in global aviation markets.

About ABL Aviation

ABL Aviation is an independent aircraft investment management firm, renowned for its excellence, innovation, and commitment to sustainability in the aviation leasing industry. As part of the ABL Corporation group, ABL Aviation specializes in delivering tailored, value-driven leasing solutions that align with the unique goals of its partners. With a strategic presence in New York, Dublin, Casablanca, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, ABL Aviation combines global reach with unmatched agility, ensuring flexibility, transparency, and efficiency in every transaction. By Q3 2025, the firm successfully completed 113 aircraft transactions with over $7.1 billion under management, further solidifying its position as a trusted, innovation-oriented partner in aircraft leasing and investment management.