ORIX Aviation has agreed to acquire AerFin, the Newport-based aviation aftermarket specialist, in a deal worth about 475 million pounds, as reported by the BBC. The deal extends the Dublin-based aircraft lessor beyond aircraft ownership and leasing into aftermarket services and end-of-life aircraft management.

AerFin is headquartered in Newport, Wales, and was founded by Bob James. It buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and components, serves more than 600 organisations and employs more than 230 people. According to AOL, it reported revenue of 276 million pounds for 2025, up 25%, and EBITDA of more than 52 million pounds, up 33%. It moved into a new 116,000 square foot facility at Indurent Park in Newport in 2025, and there are no plans to move its headquarters.

ORIX Aviation is headquartered in Dublin and was founded in 1991. As stated by Travel Radar, it is the aircraft leasing arm of Japan’s ORIX Group, has completed more than 110 aircraft transactions and generates around 370 million dollars (317 million euros) in annual revenue.

The sale marks the exit of Danish private equity investor CataCap, which had been AerFin’s majority shareholder.

AerFin has built its business around extending the life of aircraft and engines through trading, leasing, repair and reuse, and helps airlines and aviation companies source parts and manage assets. ORIX Aviation announced that the combination would strengthen its capabilities across the entire lifecycle of an aircraft.

“I am delighted that AerFin is joining the ORIX Group, a business that shares our values and belief in trusted partnerships, flexible solutions and finding the way ahead for our customers,” said Simon Goodson, chief executive of AerFin. He called the acquisition a “defining moment” in the company’s history and said support from the wider ORIX Group would provide “the confidence and platform” to grow the business.

James Meyler, chief executive of ORIX Aviation, said AerFin had built “a leading aviation aftermarket platform” supported by extensive technical expertise and an international customer base.

Founder Bob James said he was pleased to see the business move to a long-term home capable of supporting its next phase of expansion. “I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one,” James said.

For the sector, the deal shows a leading lessor moving into aftermarket and end-of-life aircraft services to cover the full lifecycle of an aircraft.