Avia Solutions Group has appointed former Air Lease Corporation executive AJ Abedin to its board of directors and as senior strategic advisor as the ACMI provider looks to strengthen its links with capital markets and support further global expansion.
Based in the US, Abedin will focus on developing relationships with US capital markets while advising the leadership of Waypoint Operating Lease and Finance Holding (WOLF Holding), Avia Solutions Group's asset management affiliate. He will also work with the group's chairman, leadership team and subsidiaries on commercial growth and strategic initiatives.
Abedin joins from Air Lease Corporation, now Sumisho Air Lease following its acquisition by SMBC, where he held senior commercial and finance positions. Earlier in his career, he advised on financing and mergers and acquisitions at J.P. Morgan.
Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman and founder of Avia Solutions Group, said: “As we cement ACMI’s position as a cornerstone of modern airlines' fleet strategy, AJ’s commercial acumen and track record in unlocking value will be instrumental in bolstering our global ambitions.”
Abedin said the group's global ACMI model was becoming an increasingly important part of the aviation value chain by allowing airlines to add capacity without significant capital investment.
He added: "This model of capacity management is an increasingly vital component of the commercial aircraft value chain, offering a flexible, asset-light solution that bridges orderbook delivery gaps, supports maintenance cycles, and facilitates everything from route testing to new airline incubation.
"To capitalise on these opportunities, I intend to draw on my experience to deepen our integration with global capital markets, building a robust financial framework that supports our growth ambitions. I am honoured to help guide this next phase of the group’s evolution as we build a future defined by collaboration with our industry partners and sustained, collective success."
READ MORE NEWS ABOUT AVIA SOLUTIONS GROUP HERE
