Company of the Month

Company of the Month May 2025: SMBC Aviation Capital shows record performance

By Business & Finance

03 June 2025

SMBC Aviation Capital, the aircraft leasing company, has shown record profits over the past year. It is our Company of the Month for May, in association with KPMG.

In March this year, Irish company, SMBC Aviation Capital, announced record profits. The company said that its main business, which is purchasing airplanes and leasing them to global airlines, grew pre-tax profits of 563 million dollars in the twelve months to March 31st 2025.

Led by CEO Peter Barrett, over the last 12 months, the company has signed a number of long-term leases, securing 100% lease placement across its portfolio for the next two years. The company made over 196 aircraft transactions, covering purchases, sales and leases across it’s delivered and committed fleets.

In 2001, the company started out as Lombard Aviation Capital. By 2003, the company had approximately 100 aircraft and 30 employees. It rebranded as RBS Aviation Capital in 2004 and in 2012, following a 7.3 billion dollar acquisition by two of Japan’s biggest companies, it became SMBC Aviation Capital. Today, they are one of the leading global aviation lessors.

Company of the Month

The Company of the Month Award, in association with KPMG, recognises outstanding Irish companies. It especially acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the business community of Ireland.

Recipients of the award are automatically put forward as candidates for the prestigious Company of the Year Award at the annual Business & Finance Awards.

Business & Finance, Company of the Month

Business & Finance, in association with KPMG, recognises excellence in business through the ‘Company of the Month’ award. The Company of the Month award recognises the company which best demonstrates outstanding business leadership, sustainable growth, innovative strategy, strong financial returns and employee development.