Global Knafaim Leasing

Global Knafaim Leasing (GKL) is an aircraft leasing company that specializes in acquiring, financing, and managing commercial aircraft assets. It operates primarily in the secondary market, focusing on mid-life narrow-body aircraft. GKL offers dry operating leases and structured leasing solutions to meet the needs of airlines, investors, and financing institutions.

GKL benefits from over 30 years of experience in the aircraft leasing market, tracing its roots back to its formation as a division within Arkia in 1989. It became an independent company in 2002, later becoming a reporting entity after a public bond offering in 2010, and held an initial public offering in 2017. As of 2026, Shlomo Group joined as a strategic equity partner, with GKL now jointly controlled by Knafaim and Shlomo Group.

The company manages its owned aircraft under strict technical supervision that includes continuous maintenance monitoring and routine audits. Its portfolio includes aircraft such as the Airbus A330-200, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A330-300, and Boeing 737-800. These aircraft are leased to multiple international carriers, including Iberia, Volaris, a European carrier, and Eastar Jet. Lease expiries are generally between 2028 and 2029.

GKL serves more than 40 airlines worldwide and leverages its background within the Knafaim Group, which has owned and operated commercial airlines. This provides GKL with an operational perspective aligned with airline needs. The company maintains relationships with maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and cooperates in joint transactions with other lessors and financiers.

The company’s strategic focus includes disciplined portfolio management and value preservation. It has navigated various aviation market cycles and disruptions with a long-term outlook. GKL’s executive team brings combined expertise in aircraft leasing, structured finance, technical operations, and international law, supporting the company’s ongoing growth in the global leasing market.

Services

• Aircraft Acquisition
• Aircraft Leasing
• Aircraft Financing
• Portfolio Management
• Dry Operating Lease
• Asset Management
• Technical Supervision
• Lease Structuring
• Investor Relations
• Aircraft Sales