Aviation Global Leaders

In this episode, Victoria Tozer-Pennington, editor of Airline Economics speaks with Gerry Laderman, an independent airline expert who was formerly CFO of United Airlines. The conversation explores the airline industry’s impressive recovery after the global pandemic, while Laderman shares insights on the rapid resurgence of leisure travel, the gradual return of business traffic, and shifting industry dynamics. From managing fuel prices to navigating Boeing’s manufacturing delays, Laderman provides a comprehensive outlook on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join us as we look towards 2025 with cautious optimism.

In this insightful episode, Joe O’Mara is joined by Betsy Snyder to explore the current state of the aviation bond market for lessors and airlines. Snyder shares her expertise on how lessors are leveraging unsecured debt, while airlines are relying on internal cash flow due to reduced aircraft deliveries. She also highlights the critical role of investment grade ratings in reducing capital costs for lessors and the rise of alternative lenders and the ABS market. As we look to the future, Snyder discusses the continued supply-demand imbalance in the leasing sector and what it means for lessors with strong access to capital. Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of the financial trends shaping aviation.

In this engaging interview with Joe O'Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG Ireland, Mike Inglese, CEO of Aircastle, delves into the dynamics of the aviation leasing market amid strong demand and OEM production delays. With a portfolio of 260 aircraft and $8 billion in managed assets, Aircastle is navigating supply chain challenges by exploring new opportunities in the secondary market and ramping up trading activities. Inglese shares insights on the growing importance of lease extensions, the impact of supply chain issues on airline profitability, and the company’s strategic diversification of debt products, including unsecured bonds, secured bonds, and JOLCO financings. Discover how Aircastle is positioning itself for success in a rapidly evolving market.

In this episode, Kieran O’Brien from KPMG Ireland sits down with DAE’s Firoz Tarapore, to discuss the current state of the aviation industry. With a fleet of 500 aircraft valued at $18 billion, DAE is a major player in both aircraft leasing and maintenance. Firoz shares insights on robust demand, the impact of OEM supply issues, and how lease rates and residual values are holding up despite challenges. He also touches on DAE’s recent acquisitions, the competitive debt market, and the company’s growth strategy in a rapidly evolving sector.

Join us for an in-depth conversation as Clemens Metz, Managing Director of Corporate Finance at American Airlines, interviews Meghan Montana, the airline’s Treasurer. Together, they explore American Airlines’ strategic priorities for 2025 and the challenges shaping the industry. Key discussion points: Strong domestic demand and capacity management strategies Enhancing premium services and loyalty programs through a new Citi partnership Maximising the regional network with new aircraft deliveries Managing fuel costs with a steady pricing outlook Addressing pilot shortages and overcoming supply chain hurdles

In this episode of Aviation Global Leaders, we speak with Greg Conlon, CEO of High Ridge Aviation, about the company’s asset management platform, which has quickly gained traction since its launch two years ago in partnership with PIMCO. Conlon shares his insights into the aviation market’s recovery post-COVID, highlighting regional variations such as Southeast Asia’s slower rebound due to debt and state aid issues. He also discusses the impact of cost pressures, supply chain challenges, and his optimistic outlook for aviation’s future, driven by global GDP growth and interest rate cuts. Tune in for a deeper look at the dynamic forces shaping the aviation sector today.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Airline Economics and KPMG’s Aviation Global Leaders podcast series, where Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, is joined by Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, who shares insights on the company’s growth and strategic outlook for 2025. With the largest order book of any lessor, Avolon has seen a significant increase in demand for aircraft, with 200 new aircraft ordered in 2023 alone. Andy discusses the impact of supply chain delays, including challenges with steel availability and certification processes, as well as the rise in lease rates. Looking ahead, Avolon is focusing on sustainability and aims to have 75% of its fleet made up of new technology aircraft by 2025. Tune in for a deep dive into Avolon’s bold plans for the future and how it’s navigating the evolving landscape of the aviation market.

Welcome to the Aviation Global Leaders podcast series, where we bring you exclusive insights from the industry's top executives. In this episode, Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, explores the key challenges facing aviation in 2025 in a conversation with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG. From labour cost inflation squeezing margins to the impact of new technologies on fleet reliability, Kelly breaks down how airlines and lessors are adapting to a dynamic marketplace. Tune in for a deep dive into the trends driving lease rates, the resilience of aviation debt markets, and the consolidation shaping the leasing sector. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Aviation Global Leaders podcast, Vinodh Srinivasan, Managing Director, Co-Head of the Structured Credit Group at Mizuho, in conversation with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, discusses the strong performance of aircraft lessors over the past 12 to 18 months. Srinivasan explains how favourable lease rates and reduced spreads have supported the market, despite the operational challenges posed by ongoing supply chain issues. He predicts a prolonged recovery for new aircraft deliveries but expects lease rates to remain resilient, even amidst interest rate volatility. Srinivasan also highlights Mizuho’s role in supporting lessors through unsecured debt and warehouse facilities, noting that spreads for unsecured debt have reached all-time lows. The ABS market continues to be a vital part of aviation finance, with $6 billion in issuance so far this year, and alternative lenders are playing a growing role in the face of supply chain disruptions. He also touches on the differences in ESG compliance between the US and European markets. Tune in for a deep dive into the state of aviation finance and the factors shaping its future.

In this episode of the Aviation Global Leaders 2025 podcast, we’re thrilled to bring you an in-depth conversation between Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, and Mark Streeter, Head of Aviation Credit Research at JP Morgan. Streeter offers a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 airline landscape, highlighting the strength of high-margin carriers like Delta and United, the challenges facing low-cost operators such as Spirit, and the impact of supply chain constraints on aircraft production. With an eye on 2025, he predicts a positive trajectory for the industry despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Tune in for expert insights on the future of aviation.

In this episode of the Aviation Global Leaders podcast, we are joined by Austin Wiley, CEO of SKY Leasing, for a discussion on how the aviation market evolved throughout 2024. In conversation with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, Wiley highlights the impressive 12% growth in RPK, the increasing demand for international and long-haul traffic, and the influence of geopolitical risks and OEM delays on the aircraft supply chain. He explains SKY Leasing’s focus on new and current-generation aircraft with long-term leases, the resulting lease rate increases, and the thriving trading environment driven by high residual values. Looking ahead, Wiley shares his optimism for 2025, pointing to strong demand and limited supply as key drivers of the market. Tune in for expert analysis on the future of aviation leasing and finance.

In this episode of the Aviation Global Leaders podcast, Steven Townend, CEO of BOC Aviation, offers an in-depth look at the factors driving 2024’s aviation resurgence. He explores Asia’s rapid return to pre-pandemic demand levels, domestic travel strength in China, and the ongoing supply chain issues affecting aircraft deliveries. Townend discusses the rise in lease rates driven by supply-demand imbalances and the influence of current interest rates on financing. He also highlights BOC Aviation’s strategic resilience, with a majority of its fleet made up of the latest generation aircraft, and growing interest from European and Chinese equity investors. Looking ahead, he anticipates an increase in aircraft deliveries in 2025, with a cautiously positive view despite industry constraints. Tune in to hear Steven’s expert take on the path forward for BOC Aviation and the global aviation market.

In this episode of the Aviation Global Leaders podcast, Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, is joined by John Plueger, CEO of Air Lease Corporation (ALC), to discuss the surging demand for aircraft and the production constraints facing Boeing and Airbus. Plueger highlights ALC’s impressive fleet of 500 active aircraft, with an additional 300 on order, and its commitment to advancing aircraft technology. Despite geopolitical risks, a Boeing strike, and challenges with new engine technologies, lease rates are climbing due to supply and demand dynamics, and ALC’s trading volume has reached $1.5 billion annually. Plueger also touches on the significant interest from private equity and expresses optimism for 2025, underscoring the need for Boeing to resolve its challenges and maintain a balanced duopoly with Airbus. Tune in for an expert take on the future of the aviation leasing market.