Top Aviation Mortgage Providers in the UK 2026 – Expert Comparison Guide
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Top aviation mortgage providers in the UK
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightstar | Aviation businesses seeking commercial mortgage terms from £50,000 | From £50,000 | interest 5% to 12% |
| 2 | Finance for enterprise | Aviation operators using aircraft or hangar assets as security | £1,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 6.5% to 13.5% |
| 3 | NatWest Bank | Established aviation firms needing high-street mortgage options up to £10m | £500 to £10,000,000 | interest 4.5% to 10.5% |
| 4 | HSBC Bank | Smaller aviation premises purchases with mainstream bank lending | £1,000 to £300,000 | interest 8.6% to 11.3% |
| 5 | Virgin Money | Mid-sized aviation property purchases with competitive high-street rates | £30,000 to £10,000,000 | interest 4.5% to 10.5% |
| 6 | OakNorth | Aviation property investors seeking buy-to-let finance from £1m | From £1,000,000 | interest 5.5% to 12.5% |
| 7 | Barclays | Large-scale aviation property acquisitions with a major UK bank | £1,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 8.5% to 14.9% |
| 8 | Offa | Included for comparison - aviation buy-to-let from £80,000 | £80,000 to £2,500,000 | interest 5.9% to 7.5% |
| 9 | Shire Leasing | Included for comparison - smaller aviation mortgages from £5,000 | £5,000 to £750,000 | interest 4% to 11% |
| 10 | Shireassetfinance | Included for comparison - flexible aviation property finance from £5,000 | £5,000 to £750,000 | interest 4.5% to 12% |
An aviation mortgage helps UK aviation businesses buy or refinance aircraft, hangars, runways, and airfield property. Unlike standard commercial mortgages, these loans account for the unique value and depreciation of aviation assets. Lenders assess factors such as aircraft age, maintenance records, and hangar location when underwriting.
Comparing the best aviation mortgage providers matters because rates, loan-to-value ratios and eligibility criteria vary widely across the market. Some lenders specialise in aircraft-backed lending, while others focus on aviation property such as hangars and maintenance facilities. Finding the right fit can save your aviation business significant costs over the loan term.
Important: The lenders shown include both specialist aviation finance providers and high-street banks. Not all will lend against aircraft directly. Some focus on aviation-related property such as hangars and runways. Funding Agent can help you identify which lenders match your specific aviation finance needs.
Funding Agent
Published loan rangeFrom £10,000 to up to £1,000,000
Rate typeInterest or factor rate
Why it is included:It is included because many business owners need to compare several finance routes before choosing where to apply.
Funding Agent can help businesses compare suitable options across a lender panel, especially when eligibility depends on turnover, sector, trading history, credit strength and available documents.
Best use case: When the borrower wants to avoid applying to one lender at a time.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Why it stands out
- Useful when a business wants to compare lender fit rather than guess which lender to apply to first.
- Can help position the application around the funding purpose, trading profile and available documents.
- Works well as a conversion route for readers who are unsure whether a direct lender will approve a larger unsecured facility.
Need to know
- Funding Agent is a broker, not a lender.
- The lender, not Funding Agent, sets the final rate, term, fees and approval decision.
- The best match may be unsecured, secured, revolving credit, invoice finance or another product depending on the case.
Expert take
Funding Agent is a useful honourable mention for business owners who want to compare lender options before submitting a full application. A larger unsecured loan is not always approved by the first lender a business finds, so understanding lender fit early can reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary declines.
Brightstar
Published loan rangeFrom £50,000
Rate typeinterest 5% to 12%
Overview: Brightstar arranges commercial mortgages from £50,000, which can cover hangars, maintenance facilities or office space your aviation business owns or wants to buy.
Property-backed funding suits operators who have aviation premises to secure the loan against, with interest typically between 5% and 12% depending on the deal.
Best next step: Compare aviation property mortgage rates through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Property-secured aviation lending
- Loan amounts from £50,000
- Short-term and flexible terms
Need to know
- Requires suitable aviation property as security
- Valuation and exit checks apply
- Higher fees than standard residential mortgages
Expert take
Brightstar works well for aviation businesses that hold commercial property and need secured funding quickly. The property-backed model suits hangar or airfield purchases where a standard bank may move too slowly.
Finance for enterprise
Published loan range£1,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 6.5% to 13.5%
Overview: Finance for enterprise offers asset-based lending from £1,000 to £2,000,000, which can fund aviation equipment, aircraft or receivables your business uses as collateral.
This lender structures facilities against invoices or business assets, giving aviation operators a flexible alternative when a traditional property-secured mortgage does not fit.
Best next step: Explore asset-based aviation funding through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Loans up to £2,000,000
- Asset-secured not just property
- Flexible drawdown available
Need to know
- Trading history typically required
- Personal guarantee may be needed
- Costs can increase with usage
Expert take
A practical route for aviation firms that need working capital or asset finance rather than a traditional property mortgage. Invoice-backed facilities can help charter or MRO operators manage uneven cash flow.
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NatWest Bank
Published loan range£500 to £10,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 10.5%
Overview: NatWest provides commercial mortgages from £500 up to £10,000,000, making it a mainstream option for aviation businesses purchasing hangars, airfields or operational offices.
As a major UK bank, NatWest offers competitive rates from 4.5% for stronger applications, though underwriting can be more rigorous than alternative finance providers.
Best next step: Check NatWest aviation mortgage eligibility via Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Large loans up to £10m
- Competitive interest rates
- Established banking relationship
Need to know
- Stricter bank underwriting standards
- Longer decision times possible
- Strong trading record expected
Expert take
NatWest suits established aviation operators with clean accounts and valuable property assets. The rates are attractive but expect detailed scrutiny of your business plan and aviation market exposure.
Source:https://www.natwest.com/business/loans-and-finance.html
HSBC Bank
Published loan range£1,000 to £300,000
Rate typeinterest 8.6% to 11.3%
Overview: HSBC offers commercial mortgages from £1,000 to £300,000, suitable for smaller aviation property purchases or refinancing existing hangar and office facilities.
With rates between 8.6% and 11.3%, HSBC brings international banking experience that can benefit aviation firms with cross-border operations or supply chains.
Best next step: Compare HSBC aviation mortgage options through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Cross-border banking support
- Smaller loan amounts available
- Established global network
Need to know
- Product caps at £300,000
- Standard bank underwriting applies
- Aviation sector scrutiny likely
Expert take
HSBC could suit aviation businesses with international ties, though the £300,000 ceiling limits larger hangar or airfield acquisitions. Good for smaller workshop or office mortgage needs.
Source:https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/finance-and-borrowing
Virgin Money
Published loan range£30,000 to £10,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 10.5%
Overview: Virgin Money provides commercial mortgages ranging from £30,000 to £10,000,000, covering everything from small aviation workshops to full airfield acquisitions.
Rates start around 4.5% for well-qualified aviation businesses, offering a broad lending appetite that accommodates both modest and large-scale property needs.
Best next step: View Virgin Money aviation mortgage rates via Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Wide loan range available
- Competitive rates from 4.5%
- High-street brand familiarity
Need to know
- Full business assessment needed
- Property valuation is required
- Processing can take longer
Expert take
Virgin Money's broad lending range makes it versatile for aviation businesses at different scales. A sensible option if you want a recognised lender with appetite for both small and large property deals.
Source:https://uk.virginmoney.com/business/business-borrowing/
OakNorth
Published loan rangeFrom £1,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5.5% to 12.5%
Overview: OakNorth specialises in larger commercial property loans starting from £1,000,000, suitable for substantial aviation infrastructure investments or multi-asset hangar portfolios.
With rates from 5.5% to 12.5%, OakNorth takes a relationship-based approach that may benefit aviation businesses with complex property funding requirements.
Best next step: Discuss large aviation mortgage needs through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Loans from £1,000,000
- Relationship-led underwriting
- Complex property deals considered
Need to know
- Minimum loan size applies
- Valuation and legal costs due
- Detailed business plan required
Expert take
OakNorth fits aviation operators seeking seven-figure property funding. Their manual underwriting can work well for airfields or multi-hangar sites where automated bank models might struggle.
Barclays
Published loan range£1,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8.5% to 14.9%
Overview: Barclays offers business mortgages from £1,000 to £25,000,000, giving aviation operators access to one of the UK's largest commercial property lending books.
Rates sit between 8.5% and 14.9%, and Barclays can also support related asset finance for aircraft, making it a full-service option for aviation businesses.
Best next step: Explore Barclays aviation mortgage deals through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Loans up to £25,000,000
- Asset finance also available
- Major UK banking partner
Need to know
- Higher end of rate range
- Bank-grade due diligence applies
- Aviation experience varies by branch
Expert take
Barclays offers scale that few lenders match, with headroom to £25 million. The integrated asset finance arm helps if you need both a property mortgage and aircraft funding under one roof.
Offa
Published loan range£80,000 to £2,500,000
Rate typeinterest 5.9% to 7.5%
Overview: Offa provides buy-to-let finance from £80,000 to £2,500,000, which may suit aviation businesses holding investment property such as rented hangar space or airfield buildings.
With rates between 5.9% and 7.5%, Offa focuses on property-backed lending where rental income supports repayment, fitting aviation landlords and property investors.
Best next step: See Offa aviation property terms through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Rates from 5.9%
- Buy-to-let product focus
- Loans up to £2.5m
Need to know
- Investment property only
- Rental income assessment needed
- Not for owner-occupied premises
Expert take
Offa suits aviation businesses that rent out hangars or airfield buildings to third parties. The buy-to-let model means rental cover drives the decision rather than trading performance.
Source:https://offa.co.uk/
Shire Leasing
Published loan range£5,000 to £750,000
Rate typeinterest 4% to 11%
Overview: Shire Leasing arranges commercial mortgages from £5,000 to £750,000, which can fund smaller aviation property needs like workshop units, storage facilities or office space.
Rates range from 4% to 11%, and Shire Leasing also offers asset finance products that could complement a property mortgage for aviation equipment purchases.
Best next step: Review Shire Leasing aviation terms via Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Loans from just £5,000
- Asset finance also available
- Competitive lower-rate band
Need to know
- Capped at £750,000 maximum
- Secured lending only
- Full underwriting applies
Expert take
Shire Leasing works for aviation businesses needing modest property funding. The £750,000 ceiling makes it better suited to smaller hangars or workshop premises rather than major airfield deals.
Shireassetfinance
Published loan range£5,000 to £750,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 12%
Overview: Shireassetfinance provides commercial mortgages from £5,000 to £750,000, covering smaller aviation property purchases alongside broader asset finance options for equipment.
With rates between 4.5% and 12%, this lender can structure combined facilities that address both property and asset needs for growing aviation businesses.
Best next step: Compare Shireassetfinance aviation deals through Funding Agent
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Combined property and asset finance
- Entry from £5,000
- Flexible structuring available
Need to know
- Maximum loan is £750,000
- Secured against property only
- Business assessment needed
Expert take
Shireassetfinance offers an interesting combined approach for aviation operators who need a mortgage and equipment finance in one relationship. The £750,000 cap limits larger property acquisitions.
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How aviation mortgages differ from standard commercial mortgages
A standard commercial mortgage usually secures a loan against bricks-and-mortar property with a predictable market value. An aviation mortgage often involves a more complex security package. The asset may be an aircraft, a hangar, an airfield workshop, or a mixed-use aviation site.
Lenders view aircraft as depreciating movable assets, not fixed property. This changes the risk profile and the loan structure. Some aviation mortgages blend asset finance principles with property lending, especially where the aircraft itself forms part of the security.
Valuation is handled by specialist aviation surveyors rather than general commercial valuers. Lenders will also consider the residual value of the aircraft, its maintenance records, and the cost of repossession if the borrower defaults.
What lenders assess for UK aviation mortgage applications
Aviation businesses face a different set of underwriting questions compared to a standard commercial mortgage applicant. Lenders will review the operator's Air Operator Certificate, aircraft type and age, maintenance schedules, and hangar lease terms.
Trading history in the aviation sector carries weight. Established charter operators, flight schools, and MRO businesses typically present a stronger case than new entrants. Lenders also examine the borrower's revenue mix: contract income, ad-hoc charter, training fees, or maintenance contracts all get treated differently.
A personal guarantee from directors is common. Some lenders may also require additional security such as cross-guarantees from related trading entities or charges over other business assets.
Loan-to-value ratios for UK aviation mortgages
| Security type | Typical maximum LTV | Lender approach |
|---|---|---|
| Standard aviation commercial property | 70% to 75% | Similar to mainstream commercial lending |
| Specialist hangar or airfield site | 60% to 70% | Reduced due to limited resale market |
| Aircraft as primary security | 50% to 65% | Based on age, type, and maintenance records |
LTV on aviation mortgages typically sits lower than on high-street commercial property. Lenders factor in the niche resale market for aviation assets and the cost of recovery. Older aircraft or sites with restricted airfield access will attract more conservative LTVs.
How aviation businesses can secure better mortgage rates
Preparing a strong application matters more in aviation lending than in mainstream commercial mortgages. A complete application pack should include audited accounts, aircraft logbooks, maintenance forecasts, and evidence of stable contract income.
Working with a broker who understands aviation finance can help. Specialist brokers can approach lenders who are familiar with the sector and avoid those who will decline aviation applications automatically. This reduces delays and protects your credit record.
Consider offering additional security if it reduces the rate. A mixed security package such as a hangar plus a residential property can sometimes push the LTV into a lower pricing tier. Fixed-rate options are available from several UK lenders, though variable rates remain more common in aviation lending.
FAQs
An aviation mortgage is a type of commercial mortgage designed to help aviation businesses purchase or refinance aircraft, hangars, maintenance facilities, or other aviation-related property. The lender secures the loan against the asset itself, so the aircraft or property acts as collateral. You typically borrow a percentage of the asset's value and repay the loan in monthly instalments over an agreed term, with either a fixed or variable interest rate. The lender will assess the asset's valuation and your business's financial position before making an offer.
Eligibility varies between lenders, but most require you to be a registered UK business with a proven trading history, usually at least two years. Lenders will review your business's financial health, credit history, and the value and condition of the aviation asset you want to finance. You will generally need to provide business accounts, bank statements, and detailed information about the aircraft or property you intend to purchase or refinance.
Rates and terms depend on several factors, including the lender, the value and age of the asset, your business's credit profile, and the loan-to-value ratio. For aviation property such as hangars, terms can range from five to twenty-five years. Aircraft-specific finance may come with shorter terms. Interest rates may be fixed or variable and are influenced by the wider lending market. The best approach is to speak with a specialist broker or lender directly for a tailored quote based on your circumstances.
An aviation mortgage is a form of commercial mortgage specifically for aviation property such as hangars or airfields. Asset finance is typically used for movable assets like individual aircraft and is often structured as a hire purchase or finance lease. A secured business loan can be used for a broader range of purposes and is secured against business assets more generally. The right choice depends on what you are financing: aviation mortgages suit land and buildings, while asset finance may be more appropriate for aircraft acquisition.
Look for a lender with genuine experience in the aviation sector, as they will understand aircraft and aviation property valuations. Compare interest rates, arrangement fees, loan-to-value ratios, and repayment flexibility. Check that the lender is FCA-regulated and read reviews from other aviation businesses. A specialist broker can also help you navigate the market and identify the most suitable provider for your specific needs.
Yes, but the type of finance may differ. Aviation mortgages are most commonly used for immovable property such as hangars, runways, and maintenance facilities. For the aircraft themselves, lenders often offer specialist aircraft finance that falls under asset finance rather than a traditional mortgage. Some lenders provide both under one roof, so it is worth discussing your full requirements with providers who specialise in aviation lending.
