Aircraft acquisition is where the economics of an airline are won or lost. The difference between a well-negotiated order and a poor one compounds across every flight, every year, for decades. It's not just about the headline price — it's about specification, escalation clauses, delivery positions, maintenance reserves, performance guarantees, redelivery conditions, and the leverage you bring to the table.
I've spent my career on both sides of this equation: as an airline operator who needed the right aircraft at the right price, and as an investment principal deploying billions in capital across fleet portfolios. That dual perspective is rare, and it matters.
What I Do
- New aircraft acquisition — OEM negotiations for Airbus and Boeing narrowbody and widebody orders, including specification, pricing, escalation, and delivery scheduling. I led the selection and negotiation of Airbus A320/A321ceo/neo, A330-300/900, and ATR72 fleets at Cebu Pacific, and multi-type acquisitions at 777 Partners.
- Used aircraft and engine transactions — Assessment, valuation, and acquisition of pre-owned assets, including technical due diligence, records review, and transition management.
- Sale-and-leaseback structuring — Working with lessors on SLB transactions that optimise balance sheet outcomes while maintaining operational flexibility.
- Engine negotiations — Standalone engine procurement, performance guarantees, maintenance reserve negotiations, and power-by-the-hour evaluations.
- Entry-into-service planning — From contract signing through to revenue service, including regulatory approvals, crew training, maintenance programme establishment, and ground infrastructure.
- Fleet portfolio strategy — Advising investment funds and lessors on portfolio composition, acquisition timing, and asset lifecycle management.
Selected Experience
- Delivered US$600M+ in savings on an initial US$1.7B aircraft acquisition programme at 777 Partners
- Managed the introduction of US$4B+ in new assets at Cebu Pacific, with complex procurement processes completed in under four months
- Led hard-asset practice for a major aviation investment fund, covering selection, specification, negotiation, and leasing across multiple fleet types
- Advised on fleet renewal strategies for carriers transitioning between aircraft generations
Who This Is For
- Airlines negotiating new or replacement fleet orders
- Lessors and investors acquiring aircraft portfolios
- Start-up carriers selecting their initial fleet
- Private equity and investment funds entering the aviation asset class
- Boards requiring independent oversight of major procurement decisions