Rolls-Royce Adds AviLease to LessorCare Plus Program in 2025

Rolls-Royce Expands LessorCare+ Program with AviLease Agreement

The aviation industry continues to witness a significant shift toward data-driven asset management, a trend underscored by recent developments at the Dubai Airshow. On November 18, 2025, Rolls-Royce officially announced that AviLease has signed on as the second customer for its newly launched LessorCare+ service. This agreement marks a pivotal moment for the engine manufacturer’s services strategy, following the program’s initial debut with launch customer Avolon just one month prior in October 2025.

This collaboration highlights the growing importance of premium support frameworks in the aircraft leasing sector. AviLease, a rapidly expanding aircraft lessor backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is integrating this service to enhance its operational capabilities. By adopting LessorCare+, AviLease aims to leverage deeper data insights and optimized asset management tools, signaling a move toward more sophisticated fleet management strategies within the competitive leasing market.

For Rolls-Royce, securing a second major customer so soon after the product’s launch validates the market demand for enhanced service tiers. The agreement strengthens the manufacturer’s position not just as a hardware provider, but as a critical partner in the lifecycle management of aviation assets. As lessors now control a substantial portion of the global commercial fleet, these service agreements represent a strategic evolution in how original equipment OEMs interact with asset owners.

Understanding the LessorCare+ Proposition

LessorCare+ represents a premium evolution of the original LessorCare framework, which Rolls-Royce introduced in 2018. While the foundational program streamlined business interactions by offering a single agreement structure for all engine types, the new “Plus” iteration introduces a subscription-based model designed to offer tangible operational advantages. We observe that this shift from a complimentary service to a paid subscription model indicates a maturing market where data and speed are viewed as premium commodities worth investing in.

The core value proposition of LessorCare+ lies in its enhanced data and insights capabilities. Subscribers are granted access to detailed analytics regarding their asset holdings. This includes critical information such as shop visit forecasts, hours and cycles flown, and the status of cash reserves. For a lessor, having immediate access to this level of granularity allows for more accurate financial planning and risk assessment, particularly when managing the transition of aircraft between different operators.

Beyond data, the service focuses on operational efficiency through expedited support. The program offers faster response times for technical queries, which can be crucial in minimizing downtime and ensuring asset liquidity. By helping lessors predict end-of-lease return conditions and potential liabilities with greater accuracy, Rolls-Royce is effectively offering a tool for commercial risk reduction. This capability is essential for maintaining asset value over the long term.

“It’s testament to the quality of our offering and the strength of our partnerships that we are seeing AviLease come on board with LessorCare+ at Dubai. There’s clearly demand among lessors for even greater insights into their asset holdings and we’re in the best position to offer that through LessorCare+.”, Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.

Strategic Alignment with AviLease

The selection of AviLease as the second customer for this program is not coincidental but rather a continuation of a deepening relationship between the two entities. Headquartered in Riyadh and founded in June 2022, AviLease has aggressive growth targets aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The company’s mission to become a top-10 global aircraft lessor requires not only a robust fleet but also best-in-class management infrastructure.

This agreement builds upon a significant commercial milestone achieved earlier in the year. In June 2025, AviLease placed an order for 20 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines to power a fleet of 10 Airbus A350F freighters. That order was historically significant as it marked the first Rolls-Royce-powered freighters to operate in Saudi Arabia. The subsequent adoption of LessorCare+ in November ensures that these high-value assets will be supported by the OEM’s most advanced service tier, safeguarding the lessor’s investment.

For a relatively new entrant like AviLease, utilizing OEM-direct data services provides a competitive edge against established global players. It demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high asset quality and operational maturity. By integrating into the Rolls-Royce ecosystem, AviLease secures the technical backing necessary to manage complex propulsion systems efficiently, which is vital for their expanding portfolio of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.

Implications for the Leasing Sector

The rapid adoption of LessorCare+ by major entities like Avolon and AviLease suggests a broader industry trend where data monetization is becoming a standard component of OEM-lessor relationships. With lessors owning approximately 50% of the world’s commercial aircraft fleet, their requirements for data transparency and technical support have evolved. The traditional “power-by-the-hour” maintenance models are now being supplemented by data-as-a-service offerings that address the specific financial and logistical needs of asset owners.

Looking ahead, we anticipate that more lessors will evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of such subscription services. As aircraft transitions become more complex and the demand for technical records accuracy increases, the ability to access OEM data directly may become a standard requirement for top-tier lessors. This agreement at the Dubai Airshow serves as a strong indicator that the industry is moving toward a more integrated, transparent, and digital future for asset management.

FAQ

What is the difference between LessorCare and LessorCare+?
The original LessorCare, launched in 2018, provided a simplified, single-agreement framework for lessors. LessorCare+ is a premium, paid subscription service introduced in 2025 that adds enhanced features such as detailed data insights, shop visit forecasts, and expedited technical support.

Who are the current customers for LessorCare+?
As of November 2025, the program has two announced customers. Avolon was the launch customer in October 2025, followed by AviLease, which signed the agreement in November 2025 at the Dubai Airshow.

What is the relationship between Rolls-Royce and AviLease?
The relationship has strengthened throughout 2025. Prior to signing the LessorCare+ agreement in November, AviLease placed an order in June 2025 for 20 Trent XWB-97 engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A350F freighters.

Sources

• Rolls-Royce Press Release