Emirates Airline has secured financing from HSBC for six Airbus A350-900 aircraft, completing the funding for five planes through a Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option, marking its return to the JOLCO market after six years. Financing for the sixth aircraft is currently underway.
The deal provides Emirates with competitive pricing and flexible terms while enabling the airline to diversify its funding sources and strengthen its liquidity base. It also highlights HSBC’s expertise in structuring complex asset financing programmes and connecting global capital with regional growth opportunities.
The milestone was celebrated by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline Group, alongside Georges Elhedery, Group CEO of HSBC Holdings Plc. Senior executives from both organisations attended, reflecting the long-standing partnership that spans more than 40 years.
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO of HSBC UAE, said the financing underscores the enduring collaboration between the two organisations and signals confidence in the UAE’s aviation sector.
“HSBC has supported Emirates from its very first aircraft to its current position as a leading global airline,”
he noted.
The Airbus A350-900, introduced to Emirates’ fleet in November 2024, features advanced aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and next-generation engines. The aircraft offers a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, reducing operating costs and CO₂ emissions, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to sustainable aviation.
Over the past four decades, Emirates and HSBC have pioneered multiple financing initiatives, including the first Sukuk guaranteed by an Export Credit Agency, which at the time represented the largest ECA-wrapped debt capital markets deal in aviation. The latest transaction further strengthens a partnership built on innovation, trust, and shared growth.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
