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A series of podcasts from Airline Economics in partnership with KPMG Ireland speaks to professionals of the commercial aviation finance and leasing industry, who share their thoughts on the aviation industry.
21 Episodes
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Welcome to the latest episode of the Aviation Leaders Report. In this edition, host James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, sits down with Betsy Snyder, industry ratings expert and independent consultant, in New York to unpack the forces shaping global aviation in 2024 and beyond. Betsy shares why demand remains exceptionally strong across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Asia—despite geopolitical pressures. She explores OEM progress, leasing market resilience, the comeback of ABS, and the renewed strength of the unsecured bond market. Looking ahead, Betsy remains optimistic about 2026, driven by sustained demand and ongoing supply constraints.Tune in for sharp insights and informed perspectives from one of the industry’s most respected voices.
In this episode of Aviation Leaders, we sit down in Dublin with Bob Peart, CEO and Co-Founder of Volofin, to discuss how alternative lending is reshaping mid-life to end-of-life aircraft and engine finance. Peart shares Volofin’s growth since 2019 — including approximately $2.3bn in transactions across around 50 deals financing close to 400 assets — and explains why airline performance has remained resilient despite geopolitical headwinds. The conversation explores OEM delivery disruption, underwriting and risk, interest-rate and spread dynamics, and the expanding aviation loan ABS market, including rating-agency developments and the innovations that could define the next phase of structured credit in aviation.
In this episode of Aviation Leaders, Joe O’Mara Head of FS at KPMG, is joined by Marc Iarchy, Partner at World Star Aviation, to explore the current state of the aviation market. Iarchy discusses ongoing aircraft supply shortages, rising lease rates and maintenance costs, and the cyclical dynamics of the cargo sector. He also shares how World Star Aviation, with around $2 billion under management, is positioning itself through a focus on mid-life aircraft and CFM56 engines, expansion in Japan, and ambitious growth plans across engines and narrow-body cargo aircraft—while remaining optimistic about market conditions heading into 2026.
In this episode of Aviation Leaders, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, is joined by Kevin Milligan, Chief Executive of Crestone Air Partners. Milligan shares how Crestone has evolved from its origins as Contrail into a specialist platform focused on mid- to end-of-life aircraft and engine investments, scaling to nearly half a billion dollars in assets. The discussion covers residual value discipline, underwriting in a volatile market, the challenges posed by new-technology engines, and how geopolitical pressures are shaping demand, alongside Crestone’s approach to active asset management and future growth through M&A.
Welcome to the Aviation Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Airline Economics and KPMG. In this episode, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG sits down with Richard Hough, CEO of elfc, for a deep dive into one of the hottest corners of aviation finance: the global engine leasing market.
Richard shares candid insights on record high demand for spare engines, the realities of new technology durability, shifting maintenance economics, and the long term outlook for sustainability and asset values.
Stay with us as we unpack the trends that will define engine markets in 2026 and beyond.
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:
Rising demand for key engine types like Pratt 4000 and CFM56
Market challenges and the role of vertical integration
Strategic funding through equity and senior debt
The competitive landscape and limited portfolio opportunities
Industry outlook amid economic and geopolitical risks
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.
In this episode of the Aviation Leaders podcast, Steven Townend, CEO of BOC Aviation, speaks with Joe O’Mara from KPMG about the aviation industry’s performance in 2025 and what lies ahead. From shifting demand across regions to improving supply chains, strong lease rates, and the outlook for consolidation, this conversation offers a deep dive into the trends shaping global aviation.
Welcome to Aviation Leaders interview series from Airline Economics and KPMG, the podcast where we explore the trends shaping aviation leasing and finance. In this episode, James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG, sits down with Vinodh Srinivasan, Managing Director and Co-Head of the Structured Credit Group at Mizuho Americas. Together, they unpack the strong performance of aircraft lessors over the past 12 to 18 months, the resilience of aircraft as an asset class, and the return of the ABS market—on track to exceed $9.6 billion in 2025. They also discuss OEM supply challenges, rising lease rates, and how private equity and infrastructure funds are driving a more institutionalized sector. Plus, what’s next for M&A and structured equity products? Stay tuned for insights you won’t want to miss.
Welcome to the Aviation Leaders podcast, brought to you by Airline Economics and KPMG. In this episode, we’re joined by Kalash Pandey, Global Head of Transportation Finance at Goldman Sachs. Kalash takes us inside the latest trends in aviation finance—from airline traffic growth and leasing sector consolidation to ESG considerations and the resurgence of the ABS market. If you want to understand where aviation finance is headed and how investors are shaping the future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Welcome to the Aviation Leaders podcast, where we bring you insights from the industry’s most influential voices. In this episode, Mike Inglese, CEO of Aircastle, sits down with James Kelly, Head of Aviation Finance at KPMG Ireland, to explore the trends shaping aircraft leasing.
Mike discusses Aircastle’s position as a leading secondary lessor with 275 aircraft and $8.5 billion in assets, the impact of geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges, and the future of lease rate factors. He also shares Aircastle’s trading strategy and the importance of maintaining an investment-grade rating.
Tune in for a conversation packed with market intelligence and strategic insights.
Welcome to today’s episode, where we sit down with Greg Conlon, CEO of High Ridge Aviation, for an in-depth discussion on the aviation industry’s outlook. Greg takes us through High Ridge’s journey, the global demand-supply gap for aircraft, and how supply chain and engine availability are influencing lease rates. He also shares insights on secondary trading, sale-leaseback competition, and the potential for M&A deals – ending on a note of optimism for aviation’s future.
Stay tuned for a conversation packed with market intelligence and strategic perspectives.
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