Aircraft leasing is essential to the global aviation industry. About 60% of global commercial aircraft are leased, and Ireland is the world’s leading aircraft leasing hub. The support that aircraft leasing firms provide to their airline customers is critical to delivering the economic, trade and social benefits that come from aviation: connecting communities and facilitating economic growth and development around the world.

Aircraft leasing firms are ambitious for the future and are embracing the sustainability challenge by funding research into sustainable aviation fuel and other clean-tech technologies. Ireland should take pride in the sector which supports the connectivity provided by global airlines.

Employment Overview

Guinness Peat Aviation, established in Shannon, Co. Clare in 1975, was a pioneer in the global aircraft leasing industry. 19 of the top 20 aircraft leasing firms have a presence in Ireland.

Approximately 2,000 people are directly employed in aircraft leasing in Ireland. It also supports employment in related industries such as maintenance and professional services. In total across the economy, 8,543 jobs are supported. This figure is derived from PwC’s Taking Flight Report from 2023, which also found that the industry contributes almost €1bn to the Irish economy every year.

Statistics

• 8,453 – full-time equivalent jobs supported in Ireland. A wide variety of roles spanning graduate, junior, mid-career and senior roles, in areas from engineering to finance to aircraft operations and more.
• $975m – annual contribution to the Irish economy
• $327m – annual expenditure with Irish suppliers
• $235m – annual aggregate payroll of total number of industry employees (approx. 2,000) after tax deductions
• 554 – employee hours contributed to CSR contributions per year, on average

All figures derived from Taking Flight 2023, a PwC report.

Career Opportunities in Aircraft Leasing

Aircraft Leasing is a diverse sector which is open to graduates with a wide range of skillsets. Occupations in the industry include, but are not limited to:

• Accounts 
• Credit & Risk
• Aircraft operations
• Engineering
• Associates 
• Graduates 
• Administrators 
• HR 
• Legal 
• Technical 
• Finance 
• Manager 
• Powerplant Engineers 
• Financial Accountants 
• Risk Analysts 
• Sales & Marketing 
• Commercial 
• Junior Lawyers 
• Portfolio 

Why a Career in Aircraft Leasing?

Aircraft leasing is an industry with a deep history in Ireland and most of the top Aircraft Leasing firms are headquartered here. This means Irish graduates have unmatched access to a wide range of career opportunities, at firms that are leaders in their field.

Aircraft leasing is a global industry and graduates who pursue a career in the field have the opportunity to travel the world, work with some of the biggest brands in aviation and engineering, and help deliver the social and economic benefits that go with air connectivity.

Aircraft leasing is an industry of scale that offers high-quality employment to those who work in it. It is a fast-paced industry that is always evolving, meaning the work is varied and exciting, and there is no shortage of opportunity for prospective graduates.

How to get a Job in Aircraft Leasing

Pursuing a career in aircraft leasing can be both exciting and rewarding. To succeed in this field, it's essential to be proactive. This means staying ahead of industry trends, continuously seeking out new opportunities and being prepared to tackle challenges head-on.

Attention to detail is another critical attribute for a career in aircraft leasing. This industry involves complex contracts, financial transactions, and regulatory compliance, all of which require meticulous attention. Whether it's reviewing lease agreements, inspecting aircraft, or managing financial records, a keen eye for detail is required.

Good teamwork is vital in aircraft leasing, as the industry often involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including airlines, financial institutions, and maintenance providers.

Effective communication skills are also essential. Whether negotiating lease terms, presenting proposals to clients, or coordinating with team members, clear and concise communication is key.

An interest in aviation can set you apart in the aircraft leasing industry. This passion can drive you to stay informed about industry developments, understand the technical aspects of aircraft and appreciate the broader impact of aviation on global connectivity. An enthusiasm for aviation can also make your work more enjoyable and fulfilling, as you'll be engaged in a field that truly interests you.

Testimonials:

Senior Analyst, Credit Management, Americas

“I decided to do my Master’s in Aviation Finance at Smurfit Business School, UCD, because the aircraft leasing industry really stood out to me. It’s a niche but globally significant sector, and with Dublin being the world’s hub for aircraft leasing, it seemed like an exciting and unique career path to explore. I joined Carlyle Aviation Partners as an intern in the summer of 2021, and what made the programme so valuable was the opportunity to rotate across different teams — including Risk, Portfolio Management, Investment & Strategy, and Technical. This structure gave me great exposure to all aspects of the business and helped me discover where my real passion lies. During my rotation with the Risk team, I realised how much I enjoyed the work — engaging directly with airlines, analysing their financial performance, and gaining real insight into what’s happening across the industry. After the internship, I was delighted to join Carlyle full-time in the Risk team. In September 2024, I relocated to Miami to cover Risk in the Americas, where I’m responsible for the due diligence of all customers in the region. This role has also given me incredible travel opportunities and the chance to work with colleagues and airline partners around the world — an experience that has been both professionally and personally rewarding.”

Senior Analyst, Investment & Strategy

“I chose to pursue a career in aircraft leasing after completing an internship in PwC’s aviation finance tax team, which gave me my first real insight into the scale of the industry, how globally interconnected it is, and how Ireland sits at the epicenter of aircraft leasing. That experience sparked my interest in the sector and led me to complete a Master’s in Aviation Finance to deepen my knowledge of the industry and gain exposure to the aircraft leasing world.

After graduating, I joined Carlyle Aviation Partners as an intern on a 10-week rotational programme across departments and later progressed to a full-time role within the Investment & Strategy team. Carlyle Aviation has offices in Dublin, Miami, and Singapore, supporting a global network of airline customers.

As a global leasing platform, Carlyle provided the opportunity for me to transfer internally to the Miami office - an invaluable experience that’s allowed me to gain international exposure and work directly with our leadership team in Miami.

Aircraft leasing is a truly global business that blends finance, analytics, and aviation. It’s fast-paced, intellectually engaging, and constantly evolving - with Ireland continuing to play a central role on the world stage. The industry offers real opportunities to grow, gain international experience, and work with people from every corner of the globe”

Qualifications Required

While a career in aircraft leasing is open to graduates with a diverse range of skillsets, the following third level qualifications are advantageous:

• Aviation Management
• Business & Business Management
• Accounting
• Law
• Engineering
• Arts

The following educational institutions in Ireland offer a range of aviation-related courses across the various levels of the Irish educational qualifications system.

• Aviation Skillnet
• Cavan/Monaghan Education and Training Board
• City of Dublin Education and Training Board
• Cork Education and Training Board
• Dublin City University
• Institute of Technology Carlow
• Law Society of Ireland
• Irish Aviation Students Association (IASA)
• Technological University Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin

Click here and search leasing to view graduate programmes offered by aircraft leasing companies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is aircraft leasing?

Aircraft Leasing is the practice of renting airplanes from leasing companies rather than purchasing them. Airlines primarily use it to reduce upfront costs and increase flexibility around the size of their fleet. It also helps airlines to manage their finances and operational needs in a convenient way that helps them achieve their business objectives.

How does it fit into the wider aviation industry?

Aircraft leasing is critical to the global aviation industry as more than 60% of global commercial aircraft are leased. Through its leadership and advocacy, the sector is ambitious to achieve further social and economic benefits, as demonstrated by the hundreds of billions of investment aircraft lessors are making in new technology and lower emissions aircraft

What does a career/average day in aircraft leasing look like?

There is no one-size fits all. Given the huge variety of roles, graduates in the sector could be doing anything from getting hands-on with aircraft, to negotiating leases and contracts, to engaging in sales & marketing activity with some of the world’s biggest airlines or travelling to meet them in-person all around the globe.

What are the perks of the role?

Some of the key perks of a role in aircraft leasing include, but are not limited to:

• Favourable salary
• Progression opportunities
• Dynamic work environment
• Travel and networking opportunities

Your Path to Success in Financial Services Webinar

To view our webinar on having a career in Aircraft Leasing and Financial Services, follow this link.