ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2019 - 12

PERSPECTIVES

able to get the AirLink up and running
and provide millions of dollars over
time to people that face socioeconomic
challenges is fantastic. Long may it last
that we continue to be a society for
the membership and provide funding
for fantastic causes undertaken by
the Foundation.
Jetrader: Over your career, who
are the visionary leaders you were
influenced by, and why?
GB: Not to take away from the many
fantastic people with whom I have
worked alongside, I think that the two
true visionaries were Dómhnal Slattery
and Peter Barrett. Dómhnal had the
uncanny ability to convince everyone to
jump on board and get everyone to row
in the same direction. His enthusiasm
and hunger to succeed were insatiable,
as was his continuing focus to make
everyone understand that the industry
is founded on relationships. Peter's
drive and ability to shape a business
into a mature organization and make
it one of the world's leading aircraft
leasing businesses was great to watch.
While both have their own management
styles, they have been without a doubt
extremely influential in my career and
how I look at things. I am very grateful
to have had two industry icons be part
of my career so far.

ISTAT President Gerry Butler speaks during ISTAT Americas 2019.

to be the bellwether of a successful
aviation industry; 2) Re-fleeting of the
narrowbody and widebody fleets; 3) The
reaction to inevitable downturns by new
aircraft lessors, particularly those from
Asia.; 4) People, and the continuing

The industry is becoming more commoditized,
which is fantastic as we get more sophisticated investors
coming into the space and, with that, new ideas. We are
still very much an infant industry ...
Jetrader: What are the top five
challenges facing aviation in the
next 10 to 20 years?
GB: 1) Safety should always be on top
of everyone's list. Notwithstanding
tragic recent events, this continues
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* T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F I S TAT

ability to attract talent; 5) Greater
diversity and inclusion in aviation.
Jetrader: What excites you about
where the industry is headed 10 or
20 years down the road?

GB: Retirement for me! No, just kidding.
I don't think I can ever retire from this
industry. Too much fun. The industry is
becoming more commoditized, which is
fantastic as we get more sophisticated
investors coming into the space and,
with that, new ideas. We are still very
much an infant industry in terms of
leasing and financing, so the growth
and product development potential
is enormous.
We will, of course, have new
technology both in terms of aircraft
and in terms of how we manage them.
Terms like blockchain were unheard of
a few years ago and now are on the tip
of everyone's tongue.
Personally, I look forward to
seeing some of those grads I helped
train become the next aviation leaders
and being able to hopefully help some
more develop their careers in this
fantastic industry we are all lucky to
be a part of.
ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2019

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