SMBC Aviation Capital posts record profit and growth for FY2025

SMBC Aviation Capital has announced record results for the financial year ended March 31, 2025, posting a pre-tax profit of US$563 million, up 22% year-on-year before exceptional items. Including proceeds from the Russian insurance settlement, which totalled US$630 million during the period, profit before tax reached US$1.2 billion.

Core lease rental income rose to US$2 billion, an increase of US$59 million compared with the previous year, driven by the continued integration of higher-yielding aircraft into the fleet. Adjusted operating cash flow reached US$1.9 billion, marking a year-on-year rise of US$48 million.

Over the past 12 months, the company signed US$4 billion in new long-term leases, securing 100% lease placement across its portfolio through to late 2027. SMBC Aviation Capital completed more than 196 aircraft transactions, covering purchases, sales, and leases across both its delivered and committed fleets.

Aircraft deliveries during the year totalled US$3.3 billion, expanding the fleet to 510 aircraft as of March 31, 2025. The company also reported another strong year for asset trading, selling 48 aircraft with total asset sales amounting to US$1.9 billion.

Cumulative recoveries from the Russian insurance settlement now stand at US$1.41 billion, including US$756 million in FY23, US$630 million in FY24, and US$24 million in FY25.

Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, commented: “These very strong results demonstrate our continued ability to perform through the cycle and deliver for our customers and shareholders. Despite recent volatility, leading airlines continue to turn to SMBC Aviation Capital in even greater numbers and we are strongly positioned to drive further profit growth from our strategically timed asset purchases. Our record performance demonstrates the underlying strength of our business, which has been made possible thanks to our talented team and the strong financial support from our shareholders, and we remain ideally placed to deliver further value with our broad product offering.”