Aviation Global Leaders 2024 Interview Series: Peter Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital

Airlines have enjoyed a sustained period of profitability over the past 12 months driven by “revenge” travel demand and pressures on capacity bumping up yields. Leasing companies are also benefitting from the capacity shortage with lease extensions up to 70-90 per cent and higher lease rates, as well as record gains on sales. Higher interest rates have tightened pricing for financing for the smaller companies and lesser credits, while manufacturers are grappling to increase production despite ongoing supply chain issues and entry-into-service and manufacturing defects grounding aircraft around the world. In this environment, and for the sixth year running, Airline