Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Neuberger Specialty Finance have announced the launch of Mustang Aerospace. This new aircraft leasing co-investment platform aims to invest approximately US$6 billion in aircraft assets over the medium term.
The new venture will enable DAE and funds managed by Neuberger Specialty Finance to acquire a diversified fleet of aircraft and support the fleet requirements of airlines worldwide. The partners plan to deploy capital steadily over the long term, building Mustang into a large-scale global aircraft leasing platform.
The collaboration combines DAE’s four decades of aircraft leasing and asset management expertise with Neuberger Specialty Finance’s experience in asset-based investments focused on downside protection, durable cash flows and shorter-duration assets.
Headquartered in Dubai, DAE serves more than 200 airline customers across over 80 countries through offices in Dubai, Dublin, Amman, Singapore, Miami and Seattle. As of 31 March 2026, the company managed a fleet of approximately 700 aircraft, including more than 100 aircraft under management, with a total portfolio value of US$25 billion.
Through its Aircraft Investor Services (AIS) division, DAE currently acts as servicer under 17 servicing and management agreements for institutional and financial investors, including seven structured aircraft portfolio transactions.
Neuberger Specialty Finance, the asset-based finance arm of Neuberger, manages more than US$5 billion across over 50 portfolio companies and investment vehicles. Since the strategy’s launch in 2018, the group has invested more than US$16 billion through a global network of over 80 origination partners spanning commercial banks, fintechs and other financial institutions.
Firoz Tarapore, CEO of DAE, said the partnership builds on a long-standing relationship with Sean Hinze dating back to 2017 and will enable the company to expand its offering to airline customers while supporting the continued growth of its Aircraft Investor Services business.
Sean Hinze, Managing Director at Neuberger Specialty Finance, said the launch of Mustang strengthens the partnership between the two organisations by combining DAE’s aircraft management capabilities with Neuberger’s capital and structuring expertise to create a long-term global aircraft leasing franchise.
Alongside the launch, Mustang Aerospace also announced that it has secured committed warehouse financing from Goldman Sachs, Mizuho, BNP Paribas, MUFG, Société Générale and Truist to support the growth of the new co-investment vehicle.
