The company says 'Avolon is a leading global aviation finance company connecting capital with customers to drive the transformation of aviation and the economic and social benefits of global travel. We pride ourselves on our deep customer relationships, our collaborative team approach, and our fast execution. We invest with a long-term perspective, diversifying risk and managing capital efficiently to maintain our strong balance sheet. Working with 146 airlines in 65 countries, Avolon has an owned, managed, and committed fleet of 1,035 aircraft, as of 31 December 2023.'

Avolon launched in May 2010 with the simultaneous closing of $750m of equity commitments from three leading private equity firms: Oak Hill, Cinven and CVC. In 2011 Singapore's GIC became a major shareholder in Avolon through a $300m investment.

It completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on December 12th 2014, bringing to five the number of pure play aircraft lessors quoted on the NYSE at the time. The IPO launch valuation of the company was $1.6 bn. It was subsequently acquired by Chinese leasing company Bohai Leasing in January 2016. Bohai Leasing is a subsidiary of HNA Group. Avolon assumed control of Bohai Leasing's aircraft leasing assets which included Hong Kong Aviation Capital. At the time of the take private the combined business had an owned, managed and committed fleet of 418 aircraft.

In 2017 Avolon acquired the aircraft leasing business of US financial firm CIT for $10.4 billion. The transaction more than doubled the size of Avolon's business and created the world’s third largest aircraft leasing platform. It also added 69 new airline customers in 20 countries bringing Avolon's client portfolio to 153 customers across 64 countries.

In 2018, Japanese-parented Orix Aviation, a leading aircraft lessor also headquartered in Dublin, acquired a 30 per cent stake in Avolon from HNA Group.