ORIX Corporation, a major Japanese financial services group, plans to invest more than 150 billion yen ($1 billion) to expand its aircraft leasing operations. The company intends to purchase over 50 small and mid-sized used planes within the next three years, doubling its fleet to more than 100 aircraft. This significant investment comes as global air travel recovers, boosting demand for leased planes amid production delays from major manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing.
In fiscal 2024 alone, Orix will allocate over 150 billion yen for fleet expansion, with potential additional investments in the following years. The company currently ranks around 20th globally, with 57 planes in its leasing fleet as of June 2023.
ORIX also manages a fleet of 140 aircraft it does not own and aims to grow its combined fleet to 300-400 planes by fiscal 2027, up from about 200 currently. The company is reversing a recent trend of reducing its fleet size, reflecting the favorable market conditions, which have seen leasing fees surge by 50% since 2020. ORIX’s aircraft business reported a 56% profit increase in fiscal 2024, driven by this robust demand.
