Emirates has completed a 12-year Shariah-compliant French lease financing to support the acquisition of two new Airbus A350-900 aircraft in 2026, in a transaction involving Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB).
The financing combines two structures traditionally arranged separately, adapting the features of a French lease to comply with Islamic finance principles within a single arrangement.
The transaction supports Emirates’ fleet expansion strategy while demonstrating the potential of Shariah-compliant financing in the global aviation market.
The structure provides airlines with access to alternative sources of capital and could serve as a model for future international aircraft financings combining French leasing arrangements with Islamic finance requirements.
DIB and Natixis CIB acted as Islamic financiers and arrangers.
