The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has signed a loan agreement with Aircastle Limited for up to $240mn from JBIC's own share. The loan is part of a co-financing with private banks totalling $400mn, and it pays for aircraft that Aircastle needs for its leasing business. The release gives the signing as the 1st; its published date is 2 October 2026.
Who the borrower is
Aircastle is a Bermuda-incorporated company funded by Marubeni and Mizuho Lease. JBIC describes it as an aircraft lessor with its main business base in the United States. Its core business is buying used aircraft that other lessors owned and operated, then leasing them again to airlines.
JBIC says Aircastle aims to become a stable home for middle-aged and older aircraft, and to widen its earning opportunities by buying aircraft continuously. It also works with Marubeni Group's aircraft maintenance, dismantling and used-parts sales functions to promote the use of used aircraft.
The lenders
The private banks in the co-financing are MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, The Shanghai Commercial Bank, Shizuoka Bank, E.SUN Commercial Bank, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, Taishin International Bank, Gunma Bank and Yokohama Bank.
JBIC's stated rationale
JBIC says the loan supports Aircastle's efforts and helps maintain and improve the international competitiveness of Japanese companies' aircraft leasing business. It also says that promoting circular use of aircraft contributes to stable air transport and a more resilient aircraft supply chain. These are JBIC's own objectives, not measured outcomes.
Limits of the announcement
The $240mn figure is a ceiling on JBIC's share, and the release does not say how much has been drawn. It does not state the loan's tenor, pricing or the number of aircraft to be bought, and it does not say when any aircraft will be delivered.