Airline Economics 40 under 40 2021 & Mentors announced

Young talent demonstrate skill and fortitude under the harshest of industry conditions.

Airline Economics, the flagship publication dedicated to the commercial aviation finance and leasing industry owned by Aviation News Ltd, has announced the 2021 40 under 40 group.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and its impact on the aviation industry has caused a raft of young talent to step up in a major way. Or in the words of one airline executive: “Nothing like trial-by-fire to test one’s mettle”. There has been a concern that the aviation finance and leasing community remains dominated by veterans and industry stalwarts, with some voicing concerns that the successor bench was looking a “little skinny”. However, the Airline Economics 40 under 40 list for 2021 has been compiled from a record amount of nominations and an unprecedented amount of endorsements for candidates from junior to incredibly senior members of the broad aviation community. In fact, all 40 members of the final list received 320 nominations in total, with more than 80% of those from clients. Moreover, this year for the first time, the gender balance has substantially improved with women making up 45% of the list.

“Our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to nominate and endorse entries to this year’s 40 under 40,” says Victoria Tozer-Pennington, editor and co-founder of Airline Economics. “Our congratulations to all of those talented individuals who were nominated. The impressive and substantial achievements by all individuals on our short list this year is testament to the breadth of young talent in the aviation community, which is well populated with the next generation of C-suite executives to lead aviation’s recovery and advancement over the next decade and beyond.”

Although the 40 under 40 group is not ranked, Airline Economics does present a Future Leader award to the individual with the most, and the most impressive, nominations from clients and senior industry figures. This year’s recipient is Marie-Aude Gagnon Rousseau, senior director of fleet transactions at Air Canada. Marie-Aude has been singled out for recognition with a record number nominations from peers, clients and industry grandees, who all highlight her professionalism and leadership abilities, as well as her flawless reputation as a steely negotiator with a consummate knowledge of the industry.

In 2021, we have once again added the Highly Commended designation to those individuals to recognise the calibre and sheer quantity of their supporting nominations. These are: Gerard Browne, VP Engine Trading at GECAS; Nuno Leal, Senior Advisor at World Star Aviation; Louise McNamee, Legal Counsel at Goshawk; and Andrea Wilson, Vice President of Insurance at BOC Aviation.

Given the prolonged crisis in the aviation industry caused by the longevity of the pandemic crisis and the restrictions on air travel, all successful 40 under 40 members were asked to comment on their experiences of the current crisis and their hopes for the future.

“Once again the confidence in the creativity and resilience of the aviation industry and its professional community has shone through in the comments from this year’s 40 under 40,” comments Victoria. “Their experiences of how collegial the entire industry has been as it pulled together to support clients, partners and suppliers through the depth of the worst crisis our industry has ever experienced made for heartening reading. Sustainability was also still high on the agenda for the next generation of industry executives, with many fascinated by the rapid developments of the future of flight offerings from eVTOL aircraft orders from mainline carriers and leasing companies, to the move to sustainable aviation fuel and more carbon-busting initiatives.”

For the second time, all 40 under 40 members were given the opportunity to nominate an individual or individuals that have acted as a mentor or inspiration during their career in the aviation industry. The response was overwhelming, allowing us to compile the second Airline Economics Mentors group for 2021.

Congratulations to all members of the Airline Economics 40 under 40 group for 2021. The Airline Economics team looks forward to celebrating with them all later this year.