Amid continued recovery of the global aviation market and the rapid rise of China’s domestic large aircraft industry, the aviation sector is entering a new phase of structural opportunities. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan called for the acceleration of the development of a transportation powerhouse, promoting emerging industries, and advancing the development of strategic emerging industrial clusters such as aerospace and the low-altitude economy. These priorities provide a clear strategic framework for the high-quality growth of the aviation industry.

In 2025, JIC Leasing partnered with Air China to support the introduction of the COMAC C919 large passenger aircraft. Following its previous involvement in aircraft acquisitions including the Airbus A350, Airbus A320neo, Bombardier CRJ900, and Mi-171 helicopters, this milestone marks JIC Leasing’s first participation in supporting China’s domestically developed large aircraft program.

JIC Leasing has developed expertise in the aviation industry’s growth potential and market demand, while expanding its presence across civil and general aviation sectors. From trunk-route passenger aircraft to emergency rescue helicopters, and from international commercial aircraft to domestically manufactured large aircraft, each new project represents the first bold step of innovation.

I. Seizing strategic opportunities through a dual-engine growth

Aircraft leasing has long been regarded as the “crown jewel” of the leasing industry. The aircraft manufacturing process is highly complex and precise, representing the highest standards of a country’s manufacturing capabilities. As high-value equipment with strong returns, aircraft are recognized as strategic national assets. The development of a strong large aircraft industry requires participation in the competitive global market and the support of a robust financial system.

As a financial entity supporting China’s aspiration of becoming a transportation powerhouse, JIC Leasing continued to increase its investments in the aviation industry and remains committed to promoting high-quality development in the civil and general aviation sectors. By deepening strategic cooperation with COMAC and major domestic and international airlines, while innovating cross-border leasing channels, the company continued to improve its capabilities across the aviation industry chain. Through its financial expertise, JIC Leasing is helping accelerate the development of world-class strategic national equipment.

II. Supporting passenger transportation with stable capacity

In 2025, China’s aviation passenger volume exceeded 500 million, making it the world’s largest air travel market. China’s civil aviation fleet continues to expand, and the aviation industry is entering a new phase of growth characterized by greater scale and improved quality. Aircraft leasing has become an increasingly preferred option for airlines due to its advantages in optimizing asset structures, easing cash flow pressure and supporting steady fleet expansion. With leasing penetration rate at approximately 57%-59%, the aviation leasing sector continues to show great market potential.

JIC Leasing aligns its business with national priorities such as green and low-carbon development, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the advancement of China as a transportation powerhouse. The company continues to strengthen cooperation with COMAC and major airlines. Utilizing its offshore fund management platform, it has established cross-border leasing channels and enhanced its capabilities in full life-cycle asset management and services across the aviation industry chain.

In 2025, the company accelerated the expansion of its aviation leasing business, delivering nine aircraft throughout the year and demonstrating the mission and responsibility of a state-owned financial institution through concrete action.

The C919 large passenger aircraft represents Air China’s first C919 acquired through external financing. It is also JIC Leasing’s first participation in a China-manufactured large aircraft transaction, marking an important milestone for both companies.

In addition, the company’s first Airbus A320neo aircraft was successfully delivered to Chengdu Airlines in May 2025, further optimizing its aviation asset portfolio. The company is also deepening cooperation with multiple domestic airlines and continuously delivering quality civil aviation transport capacity.

III. Supporting emergency rescue through life-saving aerial corridors

Aviation emergency rescue is a vital part of China’s emergency response system. With fast response, strong mobility and extensive operational coverage, it is widely deployed in emergency missions such as geological disaster relief and forest firefighting, and plays a key role in building an efficient rescue system. Moreover, helicopters are high-value assets and leasing can help reduce airlines’ upfront capital expenditure, expand fleet capacity and enhance emergency rescue capabilities.

The Mi-171 helicopters owned by the company feature excellent environmental adaptability, high payload capacity and a spacious cabin. Equipped with high-performance engines, they are particularly ideal for complex emergency rescue operations. These helicopters have been widely deployed in pandemic response, flood control and fire prevention. JIC Leasing owns multiple Mi-171 helicopters and has supported lessees in carrying out forest firefighting and earthquake rescue missions across Sichuan, Tibet, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia, fulfilling the political, economic and social responsibilities of a state-owned enterprise. For example, the B-70R9 helicopter delivered to China General Aviation has leveraged its strong lifting performance at low and medium altitudes, along with its high payload capacity, to participate in forest fire prevention and control operations in Sichuan province’s Guangyuan and Luzhou, as well as rescue missions following the 6.8-magnitude Luding earthquake in Ganzi Prefecture. The aircraft played a key role in opening life-saving aerial corridors and emergency rescue operations.

IV. Empowering the low-altitude economy and urban connectivity

Driven by the rapid development of digital technologies, 5G communications and digital twins, the low-altitude economy is showing tremendous potential and strong momentum worldwide. As an emerging driver of new quality productive forces, China’s low-altitude economy reached a market size of RMB1.5 trillion in 2025 and is expected to grow to RMB3.5 trillion by 2035. The revised Civil Aviation Law of the People’s Republic of China, which will take effect on July 1 this year, formally establishes the development of the low-altitude economy into China’s legal framework for the first time, providing institutional support for the aviation industry’s growth. More than 20 provinces and cities have included low-altitude economy in their 15th Five-Year Plan, including Jiangsu, Guangdong, Beijing and Sichuan. New types of aircraft such as eVTOL are being piloted in multiple locations, signaling the start of the large-scale development of the sector.

JIC Leasing closely aligns its business with the national strategy for strategic emerging industries and implements policy requirements for various application scenarios. Leveraging the advantages of financial leasing in enabling industrial growth through finance, the company promotes the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation through professional financial services, facilitating the large-scale commercialization of new technologies and equipment.

Featuring zero emissions and low noise, the EHang EH216-S is the world’s first eVTOL aircraft to receive airworthiness certification and is recognized as China’s first major technical equipment in this category. JIC Leasing has partnered with low-altitude aviation operators in Jiangsu, Shanghai and other regions to support aerial sightseeing in scenic areas such as Nanjing’s Zijin Mountain, as well as the development of urban air mobility demonstration scenarios. These efforts provide a replicable financial model for the commercialization of eVTOL aircraft and the low-altitude economy.

As the Chinese saying goes, “When everyone contributes their strength, nothing is impossible; when collective wisdom is applied, nothing remains unachieved.” China is advancing the implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan, promoting the development of strategic emerging industrial clusters such as aerospace and the low-altitude economy, and continuously improving civil aviation, general aviation and emergency rescue aviation systems – charting a clear path for industrial development. As a state-owned financial enterprise, JIC Leasing will remain true to its founding mission of serving the nation through finance, uphold its broader national responsibilities and align with national strategic priorities. By leveraging financial strength to empower advanced manufacturing and providing professional services to support strategic national assets, the company is committed to helping China’s aviation leasing industry soar to greater heights.