Tokyo: Aircastle Ltd. and its Japanese partner are planning to purchase as many as 10 new narrow-body jets in deals with airlines as the lessor bets on growing demand for travel in Asia. The jets may cost as much as $400 million (Dh1.46 billion), Chief Executive Officer Ron Wainshal said in an interview in Tokyo Tuesday. Stamford, Connecticut-based Aircastle formed a partnership with IBJ Leasing Co., an affiliate of Mizuho Financial Group Inc., in February. Aircastle owns 25 per cent of the venture. The lessor is building deals in Japan after Marubeni Corp. first bought a stake in the company three years ago, becoming its largest shareholder.