AIP Capital and Bridgepoint have agreed to purchase 11 CFM LEAP-1B spare engines from CFM International. The acquisition expands their joint venture focused on building a diversified commercial aircraft engine portfolio valued at more than $1 billion.
The engines are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. Once delivered, they will be leased to airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul providers, and other aviation operators.
Spare engines help airlines maintain fleet availability when installed engines require scheduled maintenance, repairs or replacement. Leasing these assets gives operators access to additional engine capacity without requiring them to purchase and permanently own each unit.
The agreement builds on the relationship established in 2024, when AIP Capital and Bridgepoint jointly acquired an initial group of LEAP-1B engines from CFM. The latest order increases their exposure to in-demand next-generation aviation assets.
AIP and Bridgepoint are building a portfolio spanning both next-generation and current-generation commercial engines. Diversifying across engine types, customers and lease periods can help the joint venture serve different airline and maintenance requirements.
The investment reflects AIP Capital’s focus on asset-based finance, including aviation and equipment financing. The firm and its affiliates manage approximately $7.1 billion in assets for a global investor base.
Bridgepoint is participating through its investment platform, which spans private equity, infrastructure, credit, secondaries and private wealth. The firm manages approximately $98 billion in assets and has operations across Europe, North America and Asia.
Bridgepoint Credit has invested more than €22 billion across over 350 companies since 2008. The engine partnership gives the firm additional exposure to aviation assets supported by long-term demand for commercial fleet operations and maintenance.
CFM International is a 50-50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. The company develops and supports commercial aircraft engines for airline customers around the world.
The partners believe the LEAP engine family offers a combination of reliability, performance and fuel efficiency. CFM said the agreement also supports the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining dependable service.
KEY QUOTES:
“This order reflects another milestone in both our partnership and strategy with CFM. We are excited to continue expanding upon our successful relationship with CFM and recognize the reliability, fuel efficiency, and performance of the LEAP engine family.”
Mathew Adamo, Managing Partner at AIP Capital
“We are excited to acquire these engines in partnership with AIP and CFM. CFM has continued to distinguish itself with these in-demand, state-of-the-art engines.”
Rohit Dhote, Partner and Co-Head of Credit Opportunities at Bridgepoint
“We are proud to further expand our relationship with AIP Capital and Bridgepoint. This agreement bolsters our shared mission to reduce aviation’s environmental impact while providing industry-leading reliability and exceptional service and support.”
Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International
