Takeaways from Natixis CIB’s 2nd Annual Aviation Day Americas

From supply chain challenges to balancing growth and profitability, the global aviation industry continues to navigate serious transformation, marked equally by challenges and opportunities. It is against this backdrop, and in line with our long-standing strategic commitment to the sector, that Natixis CIB held our second annual Aviation Americas Day in New York earlier this month.

We were fortunate to convene a premier group of leaders from major airline management teams, aircraft lessors, and the investor community to dissect some of the primary critical issues at play. We revisited consequential themes impacting the industry, delving into the complexities and innovations that lie ahead to once again deliver a comprehensive spread of content and insights from decision-makers in the forefront.

Yevgeniya "Gene" Levitin, Head of Aviation Americas, and Christopher Kiley and Cecilia Peteuil of Aviation Finance Americas share some of the overarching themes and main takeaways from our sessions.

Back by popular demand, our “What’s Keeping Airlines Up at Night?” exchange returned to build on last year’s compelling conversation. From tariffs to rising labor costs and supply chain issues, airlines across the nation are grappling with how to chart a course for future growth balancing it with profitability. Our panelists, comprising leadership team members from some of the nation’s leading carriers, offered a candid look inside the operational, financial, and strategic pressures that are top-of-mind right now.  

Although the number of challenges hasn’t necessarily decreased from last year, the “flavor” has. A significant source of upheaval in the spring stemmed from tariff announcements and the expectation of them, which generated uncertainty that impacted consumer confidence and demand. While overall demand has remained intact, with some airlines noting improvement in the demand environment, there are signs of price sensitivity among some consumers that have impacted behavior. The panelists noted that robust loyalty programs, strong domestic premium cabin performance, and international service have been crucial in mitigating these pressures. Beyond consumer behavior, the panel also touched on the potential impact of tariffs on the cost of aircraft equipment and maintenance. They indicated that while they remain vigilant about any factors that could elevate costs, this hasn’t materialized as a significant issue so far as the result of tariffs. They did note, however, the increasing pressure of rising labor costs.  

The conversation also included a look at consolidation trends focusing on the supplier space, with some panelists acknowledging greater regulatory willingness to approve mergers, suggesting a shift in the landscape and in appetite. While the space is already highly consolidated, there are ongoing consolidation efforts, particularly among serial acquirers within both the OEM and aftermarket sectors aimed at building greater resiliency into the supply chains. 

With the health and growth of the airline industry linked intrinsically to the confidence and strategy of its financial partners, we brought together influential voices from the aircraft leasing and asset-backed investor world for an exchange on what concerns investors the most about the health of the airline sector as well as the trends in aviation asset management, leasing and financing. As investors observe an ever-evolving range of market dynamics, our panelists explored the current consolidation trends in the leasing space, the evolution and key concerns of the aircraft debt and equity investor base, key priorities in financing aircraft leasing/asset management business and trends in aviation ABS market.

The discussion confronted the macroeconomic and geopolitical factors affecting lessors, with supply chain issues noted as one of the biggest structural constraints as factors affecting asset values as a result of extending the life of current fleets. On the financing side, markets have been markedly robust for issuers with a healthy amount of capital available, particularly in the ABS market and private credit space. The panelists attributed it to the investor diversification requirements as well as performance of the sector through the cycles, including Covid.

Our 2025 conference concluded with a forward-looking innovation fireside chat, bringing together entrepreneurs and venture capital investors to discuss the industry’s next frontier. The panel explored cutting-edge solutions to the sector’s challenges, focusing on innovations that are reshaping airline operations, passenger experience, decarbonization and aviation finance. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation were highlighted as key drivers of change.