Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group has joined an engine leasing venture headed by Bridgepoint and AIP Capital that plans to build a commercial engine leasing portfolio valued at more than $1 billion.
GFH will join the venture first formed in 2024 by midmarket investor Bridgepoint and aviation asset management firm AIP Capital. The venture launched by acquiring CFM International LEAP-1B engines. In July 2026, the partners purchased another 11 LEAP-1B engines from the OEM.
A new entrant into the aviation industry, GFH will join as a principal investor, alongside a substantial commitment from Bridgepoint funds. The companies did not disclose the size of either commitment in the announcement issued Oct. 13.
The partners plan to raise additional capital from institutional and private wealth investors to expand the portfolio of both current- and next-generation engines.
They will acquire engines through a mix of direct purchases from OEMs, airline sale-and-leaseback deals, secondary market acquisitions, and finance leases.
The partners cited extended shop turnaround times, aircraft delivery backlogs and growing passenger demand as drivers of spare engine requirements.
They also identified the Gulf Cooperation Council region (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman) as an important source of demand.
“Engines are one of the most attractive asset-based opportunities right now, providing a cash-generative asset with a genuinely differentiated return driver,” said Rohit Dhote, partner and co-head of credit opportunities at Bridgepoint.
Dhote said GFH brings existing relationships in the Middle East, while noting AIP Capital’s aviation expertise and direct access to manufacturers to support asset sourcing.
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