Aviation Global Leaders

In this episode of Aviation Leaders, presented by Airline Economics and KPMG, Jeff Lewis, CEO of Hanwha Aviation, shares insights on the company’s rapid growth since its launch in August 2024, with James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG.

Lewis explores:

Listen now and gain a deeper understanding of the engine market’s future.

Welcome to the latest episode of Aviation Leaders. In this episode, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, sits down with Mark Streeter, Managing Director at JPMorgan, to unpack the financial forces driving the aviation industry. Streeter also examines the shift toward investment-grade bonds, upgrades among major leasing platforms, and the resilience of the ABS market – even through past crises. Plus, we dive into the growing influence of private capital in aviation finance.

Stay tuned for an insightful conversation on what’s next for the industry.

Welcome to the Aviation Leaders series, where we bring you conversations with the people shaping the future of air finance and leasing. In this episode, Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, joins James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, to discuss Avolon’s $35 billion balance sheet, its industry-leading order book, and the trends driving global aviation growth. From supply chain challenges to rising lease rates and the shift toward Asian investment, Andy shares his perspective on what’s next for the sector. Stay tuned for a deep dive into strategy, resilience, and innovation in aviation.

In this episode of the Airline Economics and KPMG Aviation Leaders Series, Joe O’Mara, Head of FS at KPMG, speaks with Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor, about global aviation recovery and the strategies shaping the leasing industry.

Kelly shares his outlook on strong performance from US majors, European carriers, and Chinese airlines, as well as the recovery of Southeast Asian and South American airlines post-COVID. He discusses margin pressures on US low-cost carriers, robust demand for widebody and narrowbody aircraft, and the challenges of engine reliability and maintenance.

Tune in to hear how AerCap is leveraging trading gains, focusing on unsecured bonds, and pursuing growth through large transactions and strategic partnerships.

In this episode of the Airline Economics and KPMG Aviation Leaders Series, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG sits down with Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, to discuss one of the most transformative deals in aviation history. Barrett shares how SMBC Aviation Capital has grown to own nearly 1,000 aircraft and is preparing to acquire Air Lease Corporation, adding more than 400 aircraft in the largest transaction of the year.

He offers his perspective on the strength of the airline market, the challenges of cost pressures, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions—particularly with engine OEMs. Barrett also explains why scale and new capital inflows are critical, how the aircraft trading market remains resilient, and what financing strategies such as bond issues and ABS markets mean for the future. Finally, he explores the consolidation trend reshaping the aviation leasing industry.

In this episode of the Airline Economics and KPMG Aviation Leaders Series, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, speaks with Austin Wiley, CEO of SKY Leasing, about the company’s $5 billion in assets under management and its recent $1.35 billion fund. Wiley shares his outlook on global aviation growth, the role of international traffic—especially in Asia—and the impact of geopolitical tensions on consumer demand.

He predicts 1,400 aircraft deliveries in 2025, despite supply chain challenges, and explains SKY Leasing’s strategy with a portfolio that is 65% new technology aircraft and focused on midlife assets. Wiley also explores investor demand in the ABS market and the likelihood of more M&A activity in the leasing industry.

In this episode of the Airline Economics and KPMG Aviation Leaders Series, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, speaks with Ryan McKenna, CEO of Griffin Global Asset Management, about the company’s six-year history and its focus on new-build aircraft and mid-life acquisitions. McKenna discusses global aviation demand, supply shortages, and the upward pressure on aircraft values, while highlighting the sector’s resilience against geopolitical challenges.

He also shares Griffin’s $1.2 billion ABS and debt strategy, the importance of matching capital structures with asset values, and the competitive dynamics of the secondary market. Tune in for expert insights into aviation finance and the trends shaping the future of aircraft leasing.

In this episode of the Aviation Leaders Interview Series, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, sits down with Ted O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, to explore the extraordinary growth of one of the industry’s fastest-scaling lessors.

From earning investment-grade ratings just two years after launch, to building a fleet of over 200 aircraft, O’Byrne shares how AviLease is navigating strong global demand, rising lease rates, supply chain disruption, and OEM delivery challenges—while targeting a $20 billion balance sheet and embracing AI to enhance operational performance.

In this episode of the Aviation Leaders Interview Series, Tom Baker, CEO of Aviation Capital Group, joins Joe O’Mara, Head of FS Tax at KPMG, to unpack the state of the global aviation market in 2025.

They explore regional performance, from market stability to country-specific challenges, alongside the growing importance of fleet strategy, capital structures, and leadership teams. Baker also shares his perspective on geopolitical and macroeconomic risk, improving aircraft deliveries, engine reliability, and why the current trading environment is creating significant M&A opportunities across the industry.

In this episode of the Aviation Leaders Interview Series, we’re joined by James Meyler, CEO of ORIX Aviation, for a sharp and timely outlook on where the industry is headed into 2026.

We discuss diverging global demand trends, improving aircraft deliveries, the ongoing impact of engine issues on fleet planning, rising lease rates, and the growing strength of the aviation debt market. Meyler also shares why, despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the year ahead—provided the global economy holds steady.