AFSA · Authorised Activity
Regulatory Pathways for Aviation Finance
AIFC offers clear regulatory routes for conventional and Islamic aviation finance structures through the AFSA framework.
Two Licensing Routes
Choose the Pathway That Fits Your Structure
Both routes are authorised activities under AFSA; choose based on the underlying transaction model.
Conventional
Providing Credit Licence
For conventional aircraft leasing and credit-based aviation finance structures.
- Application fee
- USD 14,000
- Registration fee
- USD 500 portal / USD 1,500 paper
- Annual supervision fee
- USD 9,800
- Base capital requirement
- USD 2,000,000
- Liquid asset requirement
- AIFC Banking Business Prudential Rules
- Auditor
- Internal & external required
AFSA-authorised activity
Shariah-compliant
Providing Islamic Finance
For Shariah-compliant aviation finance and leasing structures.
- Application fee
- USD 14,000
- Registration fee
- USD 500 portal / USD 1,500 paper
- Annual supervision fee
- USD 9,800
- Base capital requirement
- USD 2,000,000
- Liquid asset requirement
- AIFC Islamic Banking Business Rules
- Auditor
- Internal & external required
- Shari'ah Supervisory Board
- Min. 3 members
- Capital waiver
- USD 100,000 → 2M over 36 months (eligibility-based)
AFSA-authorised activity
Organisational Requirements
Governance & Key Roles
Authorised firms must demonstrate clear governance, fit-and-proper appointments and committee structures appropriate to scale and activity.
Policies & Documents
Documentation Checklist
A non-exhaustive list of policies typically required at authorisation and ongoing supervision.
- AML Policy
- Internal Control Policy
- Compliance Manual
- Compliance Monitoring Programme
- Risk Management Policy
- Remuneration Policy
- Outsourcing Policy
- Business Continuity / DRP
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Credit Risk Management Policy
- Market Risk Management Policy
- Operational Risk Management Policy
- Liquidity Risk Management Policy
- Group Risk Management Policy
- Disclosure Policy
- Islamic Financial Business Policy & Procedures (where applicable)
Request Regulatory Guidance
Talk to the Hub about which AFSA pathway fits your transaction.