FTAI Aviation Ltd. was founded in 2011 as an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, emerging from the broader FTAI vehicle to focus specifically on aviation asset management. Headquartered in New York City, the company established itself by acquiring commercial jet engines and aircraft, and providing leasing and maintenance services to airlines, lessors, and maintenance organizations worldwide. Over time, FTAI developed an integrated business model that links engine leasing with in-house repair, refurbishment, and exchange—creating a differentiated offering in the aviation services market.
The core of FTAI's operations is split across two segments: Aviation Leasing and Aerospace Products. Through Aviation Leasing, FTAI owns and leases commercial aircraft and engines—mainly CFM56 and V2500 models—managing a fleet of over 400 assets globally as of late 2024. The Aerospace Products segment combines maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities with aftermarket parts production, operating proprietary facilities like the Module Factory and forging partnerships focused on PMA (parts manufacturer approval) engine components.
FTAI is particularly known for its vertically integrated MRO engine business, which blends leasing with engine refurbishment and part reuse to drive cost efficiency. During an industry-wide crunch in supply—due to grounded Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets—FTAI thrived by supplying overhauled legacy engines and modules, helping airlines navigate shortages. Their strategy of breaking engines into modules for targeted repair, rather than full-engine overhauls, underpins their competitive advantage in pricing and turnaround times .
FTAI is executing strategic expansion into Europe and scaling its MRO capacity globally. In June 2025, the company closed a joint venture to acquire 50% of the IAG Engine Center in Rome—renamed QuickTurn Europe—adding a third CFM56 maintenance facility alongside Montreal and Miami operations. This move increases their global CFM56 module processing capacity by roughly 33%, to a total of 1,800 modules annually, and includes expectations to open piece-part repair operations by the second half of 2025. FTAI’s ongoing Strategic Capital initiative also targets a $3 billion annual deployment for acquisitions of leased aircraft, suggesting further growth in both leasing and maintenance pipelines.