Professional Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance

Aviation leasing plays a central role in the global aviation industry, with aircraft leasing companies financing and managing fleets for airlines worldwide. This Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance provides a practical overview of aviation leasing and finance, including the commercial, legal and financial principles that underpin aircraft leasing transactions.

Learners will develop an understanding of how aircraft are financed, leased and managed throughout their lifecycle, making this aviation finance course ideal for those entering or working within aviation, finance or leasing environments.

Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance topics can be completed at your own pace.

Topic 1: Introduction to Aviation Leasing and Finance and Industry Overview & Landscape

• Course overview and timeline
• Introduction to commercial aviation
• History of the aircraft leasing industry
• Ireland as a centre of excellence
• Basics of aviation leasing and finance
• Aircraft leasing vs. ownership—the pros and cons
• Types of leases (i.e., operating lease, finance lease, wet lease, dry lease, synthetic lease, tax lease, etc.)
• Typical multi-jurisdictional transaction structures

Topic 2: Aircraft Operating Leases

• Introduction to aircraft operating leases
• The leasing life cycle (i.e., pre-delivery, delivery, operations, and redelivery)
• Essential lease provisions and clauses
• Key lessor and lessee concerns and considerations
• Common negotiation points
• Lease negotiation—art vs. science

Topic 3: Aviation Finance

• Introduction to investing in aircraft assets
• Raising capital and methods of fleet financing
• The importance of diversification
• Considerations for aircraft financiers and lenders (i.e., security interests, enforcement, etc.)

Topic 4: Principles of Aircraft Selection

• Foundations of fleet planning—the three golden rules
• Aircraft performance
• Aircraft economics
• Perspectives on aircraft selection—airlines vs. lessors vs. OEMs

Topic 5: Aircraft Operating Lessors and Aircraft Trading

• Overview of aircraft operating lessors
• Common business models
• Aircraft marketing strategies
• Leasing portfolio management
• Overview of the aircraft secondary market
• Common sell- and buy-side transaction types
• Acquisition and sales process of used aircraft
• Transferability considerations
• Key transaction documentation and the Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS)

Topic 6: Aircraft Maintenance Compensation

• Basics of aircraft maintenance compensation development and management
• Maintenance compensation mechanisms (i.e., cash reserves, end-of-lease adjustments, letters of credit, etc.)
• Sources of maintenance data
• Reserve economics (i.e., cost drivers, rate determination, escalation, etc.)
• Maintenance exposure analysis

Topic 7: Lease Pricing and Aircraft Valuation & Appraisal

• Modelling a lease transaction
• Evaluation metrics—NPV vs. IRR
• Sensitivity and scenario analyses
• Calculating minimum lease payments
• Introduction to aircraft appraisals
• Purpose of an appraisal
• Appraisal process
• Valuation methodologies
• Appraisal firms

Topic 8: Risk & Repossessions and Airline Credit Analysis

• Types of risks faced by aircraft operating lessors (i.e., market risk, asset risk, counterparty credit risk, jurisdictional risk, etc.)
• Effective risk mitigation and industry best practices
• Due diligence—understanding its importance and process overview
• Repossessions and extractions
• Emerging issues to consider
• Introduction to credit analysis
• Types of airlines and airline business models
• Quantitative and qualitative risk factors
• Credit scorecards

Topic 9: Legal & Regulatory Framework, Insurance, and Taxation

• Introduction to aviation law
• Multilateral air law treaties and current parties
• Cape Town Convention (i.e., aircraft objects, international interests, registration, connecting factors, remedies, etc.)
• Introduction to aviation insurance
• Types of insurance (i.e., hull insurance, liability insurance, war risk, additional coverage, etc.)
• Insurance parties
• Introduction to aviation tax
• Key taxation issues (i.e., residency, permanent establishment, trading requirement, capital allowances, tax treaties, etc.)
• Cross-border transaction considerations
• Recent changes in tax law impacting aircraft lessors and lessees

Topic 10: Closing, Career Session, and Career Panel & Networking Event

• Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance course recap
• What’s next for aviation in a post-COVID19 world?
• Discussion of final assignment requirements
• Course feedback and evaluations
• Overview of functional roles
• Recruiting advice and insights
• Industry associations and organisations
• Career panel discussion and Q&A session

Our Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance will be assessed as follows:

Written Assignment

Students will prepare and submit an individually written assignment of not more than 2,500 words in length, including notes and appendices. A pass grade on the written assignment will be required for awarding the Professional Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance.

A fail grade will result in a Certificate of Attendance for the course but without the Diploma being awarded.

Further information on the assessment criteria for our Diploma in Aviation and Leasing will be provided on the first day of class.

Embark on a Professional Journey with our Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance

This aviation finance course at City Colleges Dublin, is an executive-level program that provides a comprehensive and commercially-focused introduction to this fast-growing sector. Over ten in-depth sessions, participants will explore the core principles needed to understand the complex world of aviation leasing and finance.

This Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance is ideal for professionals looking to specialise in one of the most important sectors of the global aviation industry. Whether you’re based in Ireland or abroad, this program offers invaluable knowledge and skills.

Learn from Industry Experts

Participants in our Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance will benefit from the expertise of experienced professionals currently working in the industry. These experts bring firsthand knowledge and real-world experience, ensuring that students gain valuable insights and a practical understanding of aviation leasing and finance.

Flexible Learning Options

This Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance is structured into ten sessions, each lasting three hours, for a total of 30 hours of expert instruction. We understand the importance of flexibility, so our Aviation Courses Ireland offer the option to learn at your own pace. Complete the course on-demand, fitting your studies around your professional or personal commitments.

Aircraft Leasing Ireland, IBEC

For those interested in the aviation leasing industry, Ireland is a global hub for aircraft leasing and finance, with more than 50% of the world’s leased aircraft managed here. To learn more about the industry and its economic impact, visit Aircraft Leasing Ireland, IBEC, the representative body for Ireland’s aircraft leasing sector. They offer valuable insights into the industry’s future and key trends, helping you stay informed and connected to this dynamic field.

On completion of this Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance, learners will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of aviation leasing and finance
• Explain common aircraft leasing structures and agreements
• Identify key stakeholders within the aviation leasing industry
• Understand aircraft financing models and risk considerations
• Apply foundational aviation finance knowledge in a professional context

A City College Dublin’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Dublin Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City Colleges Dublin can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.

The aviation leasing sector is a key component of the global aviation industry, with Ireland recognised as a major international hub for aircraft leasing. Understanding the fundamentals of aviation leasing and finance is essential for professionals working with lessors, airlines, financial institutions and aviation service providers.

This aviation finance course introduces learners to the core concepts required to understand aircraft leasing structures, financing models and industry practices used worldwide.

This Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance is suitable for:

• Graduates seeking careers in aviation leasing or finance
• Professionals working in aviation, banking or financial services
• Individuals interested in aircraft leasing companies
• Those seeking foundational knowledge of aviation finance