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 episode, Kieran O’Brien interviews Marc Iarchy, Partner at World Star Aviation, to discuss the evolving landscape of the aviation market in the post-COVID era. As a mid-tier lessor with $1.9 billion in assets, World Star Aviation focuses on midlife passenger aircraft, cargo, and engines. Marc dives into the current market dynamics, including the overpricing of midlife assets and a shift in investor behaviour as capital chases fewer deals. Despite challenges, Marc shares his optimism about World Star’s growth potential and the importance of alternative financing sources like ABS markets in navigating these complexities.

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 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.