Alton Aviation Consultancy, the global aviation advisory firm, is entering 2021 with strong momentum despite the challenging business environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amidst the market dislocation, clients have increasingly sought out the expertise of Alton’s professionals who bring decades of experience across multiple industry up- and down-cycles.
Alton saw accelerated demand for strategic, operational, and financial advisory support from the world’s leading airlines, aircraft lessors and lenders, MRO and aftermarket providers – and investors in all these businesses. The firm completed more than 100 engagements over the past twelve months.
Selected highlights from 2020:
- Alton continued to grow its advisory team, on-boarding seven new team members
- Engaged as the lead fleet planning and restructuring advisor for a major Asia-Pacific airline as it successfully emerged from administration
- Served as the lead airline industry advisor to the unsecured credit committee (UCC) for one of the largest airline bankruptcies in Latin America
- Served as lead strategic advisor to Monocle Acquisition Corporation on its business combination with AerSale
- Served as strategic advisor to a major industrial player on eVTOL product development and urban air mobility strategies
- Published numerous articles and white papers including ‘COVID-19: Implications for the commercial aviation industry’, providing insight and a list of mitigating strategies to help the entire aviation value chain prioritize resources and manage risk
- Celebrated Alton engagement manager Jian Zhu, who became the first female in Asia to earn the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Certified Appraiser credential
Adam Cowburn, co-founder and managing director in Alton’s Hong Kong office, says: “The last year has been the most challenging on record for the aviation industry, and the overhang period from COVID-19 continues into 2021. Yet amid this context, we believe there is still room for optimism”.
“Companies charting a path out of this crisis are proving they can act decisively to recognize the importance of long-term strategic planning. We look forward to furthering our support for clients worldwide as they adapt to the new aviation landscape.”
New hires in 2020 formed a key part of Alton’s global development. In Ireland, managing director Leah Ryan took the lead at Alton’s Dublin office after 19 years in global risk management, bringing a deep understanding of complex jurisdictions and transaction structuring.
John Mowry, managing director in Alton’s New York office, adds: “With six offices across the globe and project work spanning every major geography, we’re extremely pleased with the way our global footprint has evolved since our founding. A global perspective continues to play a fundamental role in strategic planning, and our experienced teams offer extensive local market knowledge across every aviation hub.”
The year ended with Alton reaffirming its commitment to Pledge 1%, three years after becoming the first aviation and aerospace company to join the global philanthropic movement. In 2020, Alton’s donations to Airlink, the rapid-response humanitarian relief organization, directly supported the transport of cargo and aid workers and volunteers to 19 different emergencies worldwide.
