$415.5 Million Aviation ABS Establishes New Sponsor-Servicer Partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital

Sculptor Capital Management, Inc. (“Sculptor” or the “Firm”), a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in opportunistic investing, today announced the closing of Eclipse 2026-1, a $415.5 million aircraft securitization. The transaction marks an ABS offering under a new sponsor–servicer relationship between Sculptor and SMBC Aviation Capital, combining SMBC Aviation Capital’s established global servicing platform with Sculptor’s asset management expertise and reflecting a shared focus on long-term asset performance across market cycles.

Eclipse 2026-1 also establishes a strategic partnership between SMBC Aviation Capital and Eclipse Ltd. focused on a diversified portfolio of aircraft assets comprised of 23 Boeing and Airbus aircraft on lease to 16 global airlines in 15 countries, with a total appraised value of approximately $500 million.

Udai Bishnoi, Global Head of Asset Based Finance, Office of the CIO of Sculptor, said: “Aviation continues to present highly attractive investment dynamics within asset based finance, and Eclipse 2026-1 reflects our conviction in both the underlying assets and the strength of this partnership. As one of the largest aircraft lessors, SMBC Aviation Capital brings the scale, operational depth, and long-term orientation that aligns with how Sculptor underwrites aviation risk. Together, we believe this partnership positions us well to continue deploying capital into high-quality aviation assets backed by durable global demand.”

SMBC Aviation Capital operates a 25-year, investment-grade-rated platform with an owned, serviced and committed fleet of approximately 1,700 aircraft, with relationships spanning more than 170 airline customers and 160 trading partners. SMBC Aviation Capital will continue to service the portfolio, with an affiliate of Sculptor serving as asset manager.

Since 2006, Sculptor has been an active investor in the aviation sector, building a two-decade track record across a variety of transaction structures and multiple market cycles. The Firm’s current managed portfolio comprises 82 aircraft leased to 37 lessees across 29 countries, across eight servicing partners.

About Sculptor
Sculptor is a leading global alternative asset manager and a specialist in opportunistic investing. For over 30 years, we have pursued consistent outperformance by building an operating model and culture which balance the ability to act swiftly on market opportunity with rigorous diligence that minimizes risk. The success of our model is driven by a global team that is predominantly home-grown, long tenured and incentivized to put client outcomes first. With offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi, we invest across credit, real estate and multi-strategy platforms in all major geographies. As of March 31, 2025, Sculptor had approximately $37 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit our website (www.sculptor.com).

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