Aviation Global Leaders

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 episode, we are joined by Helane Becker, Managing Director at TD Cowen, who speaks with Joe O’Mara, on the shifting demand environment for airlines. Becker shares her thoughts on changing travel patterns, with hybrid work influencing Americans’ travel preferences and international travel on the rise. She discusses how geopolitical risks, rising fuel costs, and challenges like pilot shortages and aircraft delivery delays are impacting the industry. Becker also predicts a divide in airline performance, with strong carriers continuing to thrive while others may struggle. Looking to the future, she emphasises the role of government support, industry consolidation, and the potential for sustainable aviation fuel in shaping long-term sustainability. Don’t miss this comprehensive outlook on the airline industry.

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 exclusive interview with Joe O'Mara, Eamonn Bane, CEO of Macquarie AirFinance, shares insights into the company’s impressive growth and the trends shaping the aviation leasing industry. Since its founding in 2006, Macquarie AirFinance has built a global fleet of 320 aircraft, with significant market shares in Asia and Europe. Eamonn discusses the challenges posed by supply chain constraints, which have driven lease rates up by 20%, and how the company’s investment-grade status and strategic focus on advanced technology position it for a promising future. Dive into the full interview to learn how Macquarie AirFinance is navigating today’s dynamic market while preparing for 2025.

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Hughes, Chief Commercial Officer of Falko, to explore the company’s impressive growth and evolving strategies in the leasing market. From nearly doubling its fleet size since 2011 to navigating post-pandemic lease rate recoveries, Hughes discusses the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of aviation. Stay tuned as he shares insights on global demand, rising interest rates, and the importance of scale in today’s competitive landscape.

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.

In this episode of Aviation Global Leaders, we’re joined by Norm Liu, CEO of Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), a leading aircraft leasing firm managing a fleet of 230 aircraft valued at over $3 billion. Liu provides a detailed look at the current state of the aviation industry, from strong demand outpacing pre-pandemic levels to the challenges of geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. He discusses how delays from Boeing and Airbus are affecting lease rates and why the trading market remains active. Liu also shares his views on the importance of scale and niche strategies, and what a cautiously optimistic 2025 might look like for the sector.

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 Aviation Global Leaders podcast. Today, we’re joined by James Meyler, CEO of ORIX Aviation, who shares his expert perspective on the aviation market's performance in 2025 in a conversation with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG. From the industry’s return to normal demand patterns and global profits projected at $20 billion to insights on the US oversupply, low-cost carrier success, and Asia’s strong recovery, Meyler dives deep into the trends shaping aviation. He also discusses the resilience of the aviation debt market, rising lease rates, and the push towards new technology aircraft and renewable energy investments. Stay tuned for this must-listen episode.