Summer sadness
Welcome to the latest edition of Airline Economics.
As we reflect on the events shaping this season, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by the tragic Air India crash in June. The loss of life aboard the 787 is a stark and painful reminder of the critical importance of safety, precision, and trust in aviation—a global industry built on these very foundations.
This issue of Airline Economics arrives in the shadow of that tragedy, yet it also carries the weight of resilience and renewal. Our New Perspectives section is dedicated to voices that are reshaping the industry—investors, policymakers, and innovators who are not only responding to today’s challenges but actively redefining tomorrow’s possibilities.
The Global News section shares all the news from the Paris Air Show as well as the leading financial, regulatory, and leasing stories making an impact over the past month. Remember to keep up to date with daily news on our website as well as our email newsletter, delivered daily to your inbox.
Calum Wilson explores the Middle East’s bold aviation ambitions, spotlighting the region’s record-breaking jet orders—many secured during Trump’s Gulf tour as well as the Paris Air Show. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kenwright examines the race to ramp up production among major OEMs. With 2025 poised as a critical year, Airbus and Boeing face mounting pressure to exceed last year’s output.
From an investor’s vantage point, Bain Capital’s Matt Evans shares insights in our Aviation from Above feature, detailing the construction of a multi-billion dollar aviation portfolio. His approach—diversifying across airlines, MROs, and infrastructure—offers a compelling blueprint for navigating volatility with vision. You can listen to the full podcast interview via our website or Apple podcast channel.
Finally, our Visions and Tariffs retrospective revisits the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conferences in Saudi Arabia and Tokyo. These gatherings brought together industry leaders to chart the course for aviation finance, policy, and innovation—underscoring the sector’s capacity for transformation even amid uncertainty.
Table of Contents
Deals & ambitions
Calum Wilson explores the Middle East’s ambitious growth plans for aviation, fuelled by spectacular jet orders secured during Trump’s Gulf tour and the Paris Air Show.
The race to ramp up
2025 is expected to be a pivotal year for the major OEMs as Airbus and Boeing strive to surpass last year’s output. Jonathan Kenwright explores whether they are on track to scale up.
Leveraging scale
Charlotte Colhoun, Vista’s Group CFO, shares her path into aviation, how Covid impacted her experience, and what it takes to keep Vista at the top of its game, regardless of the economic climate.
Focused on the long view
Lesley Jones discusses her first-hand experience navigating times of crisis, her steady leadership of DAE’s legal outlook, and her ongoing efforts to raise awareness of careers within the aviation sector.
Breaking barriers, sustaining growth
Güliz Oztürk, the first female CEO of a Turkish airline, is steering Pegasus Airlines through a transformative era of expansion, innovation, and sustainability.
Ready for the next challenge
Laura Cunningham, general counsel of World Star Aviation, discusses how risk, resilience, and diversity are shaping the future of aviation finance.
Aviation from above: taking the investor view
In a recent podcast from Airline Economics, Bain Capital’s Matt Evans shared his experiences of constructing a multi-billion dollar aviation portfolio with diverse investments across the value chain from airlines to maintenance facilities.
Visions and tariffs
A retrospective on Airline Economics’ Growth Frontiers conferences in Saudi Arabia and Tokyo, where industry leaders charted the future of aviation finance, policy, and innovation.
Data
Latest aircraft lease rates and values.
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