Aviation Global Leaders

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 another episode of Aviation Global Leaders, brought to you by Airline Economics and KPMG. Today, Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, is joined by Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, who discusses the evolving aircraft leasing landscape. From navigating the shift from post-COVID recovery to the challenges of supply chain issues, Peter offers valuable insights on the resilience of the aviation industry, the importance of ESG, and the potential for consolidation in the leasing market. As we look toward 2025, Peter’s optimistic outlook provides a fresh perspective on the future of aviation finance. Stay tuned for an in-depth conversation with one of the industry’s top leaders.

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.

Welcome to another episode of the Aviation Global Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Airline Economics and KPMG. In this episode, we sit down with Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, who shares how the airline has rebounded post-COVID with strong yields, a simplified corporate structure, and ambitious growth plans. From expanding into new regions to renewing its fleet with cutting-edge Airbus models, AirAsia is positioning itself for continued success. Tune in to hear how AirAsia is navigating the road to recovery and shaping the future of aviation.

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 podcast, Olivier Trauchessec, Head of Global Aviation at MUFG, discusses the post-pandemic recovery of the aviation industry with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG. Trauchessec notes the strong rebound by 2023 across most regions, with the exception of China, and highlights the challenges facing the industry, including overcapacity, cost pressures, and ongoing aircraft delivery delays. He also shares his outlook for 2025, identifying the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine conflict as key concerns. Additionally, Trauchessec discusses the impact of interest rate cuts on financing costs and the resurgence of the competitive ABS market. He emphasises MUFG's commitment to being a relationship-focused solution provider and expresses optimism for the future of the aviation sector, despite potential challenges on the horizon. Tune in for this comprehensive look at the current and future state of aviation finance.

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’re joined by Joe McConnell, Deputy Co-Chief Investment Officer at Castlelake, in conversation with Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, to explore the resilience of air travel demand, which has grown 1.5-2 times GDP over the past 50 years—even through economic downturns and a pandemic. McConnell discusses how supply constraints are impacting the leasing market, leading to higher lease rates and longer lease agreements. He also emphasizes the importance of scale in the leasing industry, with larger, well-run companies continuing to thrive despite challenges like higher interest rates and the need for greater lease rate factors. With a significant amount of capital ready for investment, Castlelake remains optimistic about the future of the aviation sector. Tune in for this insightful discussion on the evolving dynamics of aviation finance.

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, Joe O’Mara, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, is joined by Robert Korn, President and Co-Founder of Carlyle Aviation Partners, to discuss the company’s $12.1 billion in assets under management, which includes nearly 400 commercial aircraft, including aircraft on order, leased to over 110 global airlines. Korn highlights the robust demand recovery, particularly in Central and Southeast Asia, while addressing concerns about inflation, geopolitical risks, and the ongoing Boeing strike. He emphasizes the resilience of the aviation sector post-Covid and the critical role of scale in managing compliance and the industry’s sustainability efforts. Carlyle Aviation is investing in new technology aircraft, which Korn believes will drive growth moving forward. Despite current challenges, he remains optimistic about the future of the aviation leasing industry and its prospects in 2025. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on aviation’s evolving landscape.