Lewis Sutherland
Lewis Sutherland
Speaker
Managing Director

AE Industrial Partners

United Kingdom

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Main Stage

Investing in Aviation in 2026: Finding Risk-Adjusted Returns

Jared Keating
Partner,
Kite LLC
Emily Wilson
Managing Director,
AB CarVal
Dr Niall O'Connor
Fund Manager,
RM Funds
Vicente Alava-Pons
Managing Director,
GOAL Aircraft Leasing
Moderator
Lewis Sutherland
Managing Director,
AE Industrial Partners
  • How are partnerships between lessors and funds changing the deal landscape? 
  • How are investors balancing liquidity vs yield when deals are shorter and more bespoke? 
  • With lease rate factors where they are, how are equity generating risk-adjusted returns?
  • What opportunities remain for smaller and midsize players as larger funds dominate the space?
  • What does aviation need to prove to attract more institutional and private capital?
Forums

Private Credit Forum: Returns and Opportunity in Aviation Finance

Steve Welo
Executive Director, Capital Partnerships,
Air T
Sarah Conway
Director,
Ashland Place Finance
Lewis Sutherland
Managing Director,
AE Industrial Partners
Moderator
Briann Brennan
Tax Partner,
KPMG

Private credit is reshaping how aviation assets are financed, stepping into spaces once dominated by banks and lessors. But what does that mean for investors? And how can they take advantage of this evolving market dynamic? This session explores where private credit is generating returns, how risk is being structured and priced, and what these deals actually look like from a legal perspective, with insight into the structures and protections that matter most when markets turn.

Key discussion points:

  • How are lenders approaching sustainable returns in today’s aviation market, and how are risk considerations influencing those strategies?
  • What deal structures are being used, and how do they shape risk allocation and return outcomes?
  • What are the routes to market for investors across the capital stack in private credit?
  • Forward look: How are lenders positioning themselves for the next phase of aviation finance, and how is this reflected in current deals, transaction terms and structuring decisions?
Ishka Accelerator

Mentorship Huddle

Patrick den Elzen
CEO,
Arena Aviation Capital
Lewis Sutherland
Managing Director,
AE Industrial Partners
Emily Wilson
Managing Director,
AB CarVal
Richard Moody
Independent,

A chance to hear from aviation experts on their industry tips and tricks and meet the mentors

Exclusively for registered Accelerator participants. Space is limited but if you wish to apply, please contact jennifer@ishkaglobal.com