Peter Ryttergaard, Partner at CataCap, said: “AerFin has been an outstanding success story, and we are proud of what has been achieved during our ownership. The team has built a leading business through their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering focus on its customers and people.
The partnership with founder Bob James, as CEO transitioning into a very valuable non-executive board member has been instrumental in the AerFin transition.
We have always sought to support businesses with strong cultures and ambitious growth plans, and AerFin has exceeded our expectations on both fronts. As the company enters its next phase, we believe ORIX Aviation is the right long-term owner to support that journey.
The values, ambition and partnership approach of both AerFin and Orix Aviation are closely aligned, making this a natural next step. We thank the AerFin team for an exceptional partnership and look forward to seeing the business continue to thrive in the years ahead.”
Lasse Hadberg Lynge, Partner at CataCap added: “We have successfully delivered on our investment thesis, transforming AerFin from a business focused on individual transactions into an institutional originator of modern aircraft at scale.
Increasing the geographical footprint with expansion into the US and APAC has been executed organically driving a +4x growth in revenue and earnings over the course of our ownership.
This has been enabled by creating an industry leading operating model driving origination, pricing, execution and sale of assets at pace.”
Peter Ryttergaard, partner at CataCap, adds: “The successful exit of AerFin marks an important milestone for CataCap as we continue the fundraising for our dedicated Aerospace & Defence Fund. The investment highlights our experience in developing leading aerospace and defence businesses through active ownership and close partnerships with management teams. Together with our broader track record in the sector, it provides a strong foundation as we seek to build a leading Northern European private equity platform focused on aerospace and defence.”
Bob James, Founder of AerFin, said: “Having built AerFin from the ground up and spent my career in the aviation MRO sector, I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one and Simon Goodson has led the business brilliantly through this transition, and I have every confidence in him and the wider team as they take AerFin into its next chapter. CataCap have been an excellent partner throughout this journey, fully supportive, engaged, and genuinely invested in what we’ve built together. ORIX Aviation bring exactly the support, reputation and long-term commitment this business deserves, and I am delighted AerFin has found such a natural home to continue its growth.“
Simon Goodson, Chief Executive Officer of AerFin, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our founder Bob James for his vision and tenacity, our departing majority shareholders CataCap for their outstanding custodianship and guidance, and of course our customers, employees and partners who have made our business what it is today. This is a defining moment in AerFin’s story and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. I am delighted that AerFin is joining the ORIX Group, a business that shares our values and belief in trusted partnerships, flexible solutions and finding the way ahead for our customers. With the backing of ORIX Aviation and the wider ORIX Group, we will have the support, confidence and platform to enable AerFin to become a stronger force within the industry, while continuing our ambition to be the most trusted partner in the aviation aftermarket. The best of AerFin is still to come.”
James Meyler, Chief Executive Officer of ORIX Aviation, said: “The acquisition of AerFin is a significant milestone for ORIX Aviation and ORIX Group as we expand our capabilities across the aircraft lifecycle. AerFin has built a leading aviation aftermarket platform, supported by an experienced management team, deep technical expertise and a global customer network. Together, we will be well positioned to deliver additional value for customers and investors, while supporting a more sustainable aviation industry through the reuse and optimisation of aircraft assets.”
CataCap and AerFin were advised by Rothschild & Co as sole financial advisor, Baker McKenzie as legal counsel, KPMG as financial and tax due diligence advisor and BCG as commercial due diligence advisor. Osborne Clarke and Liberty Corporate Finance acted respectively as legal counsel and financial advisors to the management team.
ORIX Aviation was advised by Goldman Sachs International as sole financial advisor, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as legal counsel, EY as financial due diligence advisor and PwC as tax due diligence advisor.
The transaction is expected to complete by the end of 2026, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
CataCap’s investment in Aerfin benefitted from the financial support provided by the European Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank with the financial backing of the European Union under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (“EFSI”) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe.
For further information, please contact:
CataCap
Peter Ryttergaard, Partner
+45 30 20 36 04
pry@catacap.dk
AerFin, all media enquiries
media@aerfin.com
