One voice for the aviation leasing industry

The establishment of a new representative body aims to ensure that Ireland retains its number one position globally in aircraft leasing, writes Siobhán Maguire

David Swan, chief operating officer, SMBC Aviation Capital and chair of ALI; Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform; Declan Kelly, chief commercial officer of GECAS and vice-chair of ALI; and Danny McCoy, chief executive, Ibec, at the Launch of Aircraft Leasing Ireland in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

At a glance, Ireland’s aircraft leasing industry needs little help. The sector supports 5,000 jobs and contributes more than €550 million annually to the local economy – an indisputable success story.

Earlier this year, however, industry leaders came together with a new idea: to establish a representative body that would be a unified voice for the entire sector. In July, Ibec, through Financial Services Ireland, announced the formation of Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI).