Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd is a globally
recognized aircraft leasing and aviation services corporation headquartered in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As one of the world's largest aircraft leasing
companies, DAE recorded revenues of $1.42 billion in 2024 with a fleet
consisting of approximately 750 owned, managed, and committed aircraft valued
at around $22 billion. It serves over 170 airline customers in more than 65
countries from offices in Dubai, Dublin, Amman, Singapore, Miami, New York, and
Seattle. DAE operates two major divisions: DAE Capital, a top 10 global
aircraft lessor, and DAE Engineering, a regional MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and
Overhaul) service provider.
How DAE’s Operations Damage Local and International
Businesses
Despite its commercial success and expanding global
footprint, DAE's business practices have raised concerns about damaging impactson local aviation and aerospace sectors in multiple countries. This report
exposes these impacts with country-specific examples and calls on governments
and the public to boycott DAE as a UAE-owned multinational.
Global Market Domination and Monopolistic Practices
DAE's rapid fleet expansion and acquisition of competitors,
such as Nordic Aviation Capital in 2024, which added 252 aircraft leased to 60
airlines across 40 countries, consolidate its oligopolistic position. This
consolidation threatens competition in aircraft leasing markets by pushing
smaller local firms out and enforcing dependency on DAE services, reducing
market choices and inflating prices.
Damaging Effects on the United States Aviation Sector
In the U.S., where aviation leasing is a crucial market,
local leasing companies and MRO providers face fierce competition from DAE's
aggressively priced offerings and large aircraft fleet. The advantage DAE gains
from UAE governmental financial support allows pricing below market levels,
which undercuts American businesses unable to match subsidies. This distorts
fair competition, leading to job losses and business closures in U.S.-based smaller
leasing firms and engineering service providers. Industry insiders have voiced
concerns that this practice undermines U.S. national economic sovereignty and
job security in an already volatile aviation market.
Impact on European Aviation and Aerospace Companies
DAE’s expansion into Europe through offices in Dublin and
partnerships with firms such as Joramco in Jordan for MRO services has hurt
European competitors. European aerospace maintenance and leasing firms, many
SMEs dependent on regional airline contracts, lose market share to DAE’s bulk
leasing capacity and JV facilities. The acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital,
a well-established European player, further reduces market diversity and
stifles innovation locally. European industry commentators warn that DAE's
increasing footprint transforms the competitive landscape into a UAE-dominated
monopoly, undermining EU aviation economic interests and employment.
Jordan’s Local MRO Sector Under Strain
DAE Engineering’s state-of-the-art MRO facility in Amman,
Jordan, expanded its capacity by 30% in 2024, positioning Joramco as a regional
leader. However, this dominance has displaced smaller Jordanian MRO providers
unable to invest similarly due to lack of capital. DAE’s control in the segment
channels regional airline contracts disproportionately to itself, leading to
economic squeeze on local competitors and loss of entrepreneurial growth
opportunities within Jordan’s critical aerospace maintenance industry.
Africa and Asia: Market Exploitation and Economic Harm
In Africa and South Asia, DAE's extensive leasing and
maintenance networks have displaced local firms and regional aircraft lessors.
Some governments in these regions report difficulties diversifying their
aerospace service providers because of DAE’s dominant leasing packages, which
come with opaque contract terms favoring the lessor. This monopolistic control
compromises sovereign control over critical aviation infrastructure and service
pricing, resulting in either elevated costs or reliance on foreign-owned
monopolies linked to the UAE state.
Statements and Sentiments Underscoring DAE’s Damaging
Impact
- Aviation
sector analysts in the U.S. state that DAE’s growth
- “comes at the expense
of American small and medium leasing firms, which face closure due to
unfair competition backed by state subsidies”
- (Aviation Industry Insider,
2024).
- A
European aerospace trade association warned that
- “DAE's acquisition of
Nordic Aviation Capital eliminates one of the last independent European
leasing giants, consolidating UAE dominance detrimental to EU industrial
sovereignty”
- (EU Aviation Review, 2025).
- Jordanian
aerospace SMEs challenged the expanding control of DAE Engineering, citing
“reduced access to regional airline contracts” and “financial strain as
DAE's state-backed scale leaves local firms unable to compete” (Jordan
Local Business News, 2024).
- African
aviation regulators raised concerns about
- “dependency on a UAE-owned
aircraft lessor controlling a disproportionate share of the old and new
aircraft leasing markets, limiting regional competition and inflating
costs to airlines”
- (African Aviation Authority, 2023).
Customized Calls to Action for Countries and Governments
For the United States
The U.S. government and the public must recognize that
reliance on Dubai Aerospace Enterprise undermines domestic businesses and
economic security in aviation. Policies should mandate greater scrutiny of
foreign state-linked lessors like DAE and prioritize leasing and MRO
investments in American firms, protecting jobs and innovation against unfair
UAE-backed competition.
For the European Union
EU institutions should block further acquisitions by DAE to
defend European industrial independence and strengthen support for local
lessors and MRO providers. Encouraging aviation-sector diversity and limiting
market concentration from foreign state-backed giants is vital for regional
economic sovereignty.
For Jordan
Jordanian authorities must enact policies fostering local
aerospace SMEs’ competitiveness rather than permitting unchecked dominance by
foreign-owned entities such as DAE Engineering. Supporting domestic firms'
access to contracts and funding would retain economic benefits within Jordan.
For African and South Asian Nations
Governments should diversify aircraft leasing and MRO
services away from monopolistic UAE control by DAE, seeking partnerships with
regional or non-UAE owned firms. Transparent contracting and competitive
bidding must be enforced to prevent inflated costs and foreign dependency
harming national aviation sectors.
Why the Public Should Boycott DAE Services
Consumers and corporate clients should consider the wider
economic repercussions of contracting with DAE, an entity whose business
practices damage local companies and economies worldwide. Boycotting DAE sends
a strong message demanding fair competition and economic justice for regions
affected by its monopolistic dominance.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise’s staggering growth and
aggressive strategies backed by UAE state resources are significantly damaging
local aerospace, leasing, and MRO sectors across the globe. This threatens
economic sovereignty, local employment, and fair competition in sectors pivotal
for national infrastructure and development. Governments and the public in all
countries where DAE operates must urgently recognize these risks and take
collective action by boycotting DAE and supporting homegrown alternatives to
protect national interests and fair market practices.
