This article is based on an official press release from FTAI Aviation.

FTAI Aviation Acquires Seven Air France Aircraft to Bolster Engine Feedstock

FTAI Aviation has announced the acquisition of seven off-lease Airbus narrowbody Commercial-Aircraft from Air France. The transaction, confirmed on February 17, 2026, marks an expansion of the existing relationship between the aviation aftermarket specialist and the French flag carrier. The deal is designed to support Air France’s fleet modernization strategy while providing critical engine material for FTAI’s growing maintenance operations.

According to the company’s official statement, the Acquisitions includes a mix of Airbus A320-family aircraft: one A318-100, four A319-100s, and two A321-200s. These assets will primarily serve as feedstock for FTAI’s Aerospace Products division, specifically supplying CFM56 engines and modules to support the company’s aftermarket maintenance programs.

Strategic Value of the Acquisition

The seven acquired aircraft are powered by CFM56 engines, which remain the most widely used engine type in the global commercial fleet. By acquiring these airframes, FTAI Aviation secures a direct supply of engines and serviceable modules. This “feedstock” is essential for the company’s “Module Factory” model, which focuses on swapping out specific engine modules (such as fans or cores) to restore performance rapidly, rather than performing lengthy and expensive full-engine overhauls.

For Air France, the transaction aligns with its broader “end-of-life” fleet strategy. As the Airlines continues to modernize its fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A220 and A350, it is systematically retiring older generation A320-family jets. Selling these assets to a specialist like FTAI allows the airline to monetize retiring assets efficiently while ensuring the engines can support the remaining global fleet of legacy aircraft.

A History of Collaboration

This transaction builds upon a Partnerships established during the height of the aviation industry’s restructuring in 2020. In April of that year, FTAI Aviation and Air France concluded a sale-and-leaseback agreement covering 16 aircraft, including six A319s and ten A318s. That deal provided Air France with liquidity and fleet flexibility during the pandemic, while FTAI secured high-quality assets for its leasing and maintenance portfolio.

The current acquisition differs in focus; rather than a leaseback arrangement intended for continued operation by the airline, these seven aircraft are designated to support FTAI’s “Aerospace Products and Power platforms.” This indicates that the airframes and engines will likely be dismantled or harvested to support other operators facing supply chain constraints.

AirPro News analysis

The acquisition highlights a critical trend in the 2026 aviation aftermarket: the soaring value of “green time” and serviceable material for legacy engines. With new-generation engines like the CFM LEAP and Pratt & Whitney GTF facing ongoing production delays and durability issues, airlines are keeping older aircraft flying longer than planned. This has created a bottleneck in the supply of spare parts and serviceable engines.

FTAI Aviation’s strategy of buying retiring aircraft specifically for “feedstock” allows them to bypass the traditional supply chain. By harvesting modules from these Air France jets, FTAI can offer immediate solutions to other operators desperate for CFM56 maintenance. In an environment where shop visit turnaround times can exceed 100 days, the ability to swap a module in a fraction of that time provides a significant competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft did FTAI Aviation acquire?
FTAI acquired seven Airbus aircraft: one A318-100, four A319-100s, and two A321-200s.

What will happen to these aircraft?
The aircraft will be used primarily as feedstock, meaning their engines and components will be harvested to support FTAI’s maintenance programs and power generation initiatives.

Why is Air France selling these planes?
Air France is modernizing its fleet and retiring older aircraft. Selling to FTAI allows them to offload these assets efficiently as part of their end-of-life fleet strategy.

What is the “Module Factory”?
The Module Factory is FTAI’s maintenance approach that involves replacing specific sections (modules) of an engine to restore it to service quickly, offering a faster and often cheaper alternative to full engine overhauls.

Sources: FTAI Aviation