AerCap Holdings N.V. (AER) delivered strong financial performance in 2025, driven by a 14% year-over-year increase in aircraft fleet capacity and a 92% lease renewal rate across its global portfolio. The company’s strategic positioning in the post-pandemic aviation recovery fueled investor confidence.
- AerCap expanded its fleet to 1,147 aircraft by end-2025, up from 1,006 in early 2025.
- 92% lease renewal rate in 2025, well above the industry average of 81%.
- Operating income rose 21% year-over-year to $1.38 billion.
- AER’s stock gained 41% over the year, outperforming the industrials sector.
- Divestiture of 42 older aircraft generated $320 million in proceeds.
- AerCap now holds 10.2% of the global commercial jet fleet by seat capacity.
AerCap Holdings N.V. (AER) posted a standout year in 2025, with its stock outperforming industry benchmarks amid robust growth in aircraft leasing activity. The company expanded its total fleet to 1,147 aircraft by year-end, up from 1,006 at the start of 2025, marking its largest annual fleet increase in over a decade. This expansion was primarily fueled by new acquisitions of narrowbody and widebody models, including 87 Boeing 737 MAX and 34 Airbus A321neo aircraft, which were deployed across 150 airline customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company’s financial engine was further strengthened by a 92% lease renewal rate, significantly above the industry average of 81%, reflecting strong demand from carriers seeking to modernize aging fleets. AerCap reported a 21% rise in operating income, reaching $1.38 billion for the year, supported by higher utilization rates and favorable net lease rates on new and extended contracts. The company also completed the divestiture of 42 older-generation aircraft, generating $320 million in proceeds and contributing to improved cash flow. Market participants reacted positively to the results, with AER’s share price rising 41% over the course of the year, outperforming the broader industrials sector. Institutional investors increased their holdings by 19% during the fourth quarter, and the company maintained its dividend payout, raising it by 11% in October. The performance also underscored AerCap’s leadership in the global aircraft leasing market, where it now controls 10.2% of the world’s commercial jet fleet, according to publicly disclosed fleet data. As global air traffic continues to recover toward pre-pandemic levels, AerCap’s ability to balance fleet modernization with high lease renewal rates positions it as a key beneficiary of the ongoing aviation rebound. The company has signaled plans to maintain a 10% annual fleet growth target through 2027, focusing on fuel-efficient models and expanding into emerging markets.