At the inaugural Ishka Aviation Finance Festival Asia, Titan’s Eamonn Forbes,Chief Commercial Officer, and Beatrice Cassou, Director of Commercial – APAC, brought sharp insights to two high-impact panels. The event took place in the days following the recent announcement that Titan and Bain Capital had successfully closed Titan Aircraft Investments II (TAI 2), a new freighter aircraft investment platform. Eamonn shared that the news was a highlight for both panels, where it was well received and became a topic of discussion for the whole day.
Panel 1: Leasing Leaders — Pricing, Placement & Pressure Points
Who: Eamonn joined leaders from Arena Aviation Capital, Aergo Capital, Genesis, and Vedder Price.
What’s happening:
– Narrowbodies are hot in the passenger world, not in the freighter world.
– Geopolitical risks and airline credit concerns are reshaping risk models.
– Financing costs are up — lessors are turning to private credit, structured equity, and secondary markets.
– Sustainability pressure is rising, but access to new-tech aircraft remains limited.
“The leasing landscape is evolving rapidly,” explained Eamonn. “Lessors must adapt to rising costs and shifting airline demands while maintaining portfolio resilience. At Titan, we’re focused on strategic placements and innovative financing to stay ahead.”
Panel 2: Clause and Effect — Are Airlines Gaining Leverage?
Who: Beatrice joined leaders from Falko and Altavair, moderated by VMO Air.
Key shifts:
– Airlines want more flexible lease terms, challenging legacy clauses.
– Carve-outs and Flight Hour Maintenance Programs (FMPs) are gaining traction.
– FMPs offer planning benefits but pose liquidity risks.
– Lessors must balance discipline with airline leverage in fleet strategy.
“As airlines recover and grow, they’re negotiating harder for flexibility,” said Beatrice. “Lessors must strike a balance between protecting asset value and supporting airline needs. Titan is committed to building partnerships that reflect this new reality.”
Why it matters
Eamonn and Beatrice spotlighted Titan’s leadership in navigating pricing dynamics, shifting airline–lessor power balances, and financial and sustainability pressures. Their presence reinforced Titan’s role in shaping the future of aviation finance in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market.
