Aquila Air Capital Adds Eoin Connaughton to Commercial Analysis and Pricing Team

DUBLIN – January 29, 2024 – Against the backdrop of this year’s Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Dublin conference, Aquila Air Capital (“Aquila”), a leading lessor focused on end-of-life solutions, announced the addition of a new member to its Commercial Analysis and Pricing team, Eoin Connaughton as AVP, Commercial Analysis and Pricing. 

Connaughton will be based out of the company’s Irish office, focusing on the analysis, structuring, and pricing of transactions for various aircraft and engine types in collaboration with the Commercial and Origination teams. 

“We are thrilled to be adding Eoin to our expanding global team, as we continue to execute on our strategy to be a trusted partner to all players in the value chain, while zeroing in on solutions to enhance the economic returns of transactions,” says Al Wood, Aquila Air Capital’s Chief Executive Officer. 

Connaughton joins Aquila from SMBC Aviation Capital (“SMBC”), where most recently he served as VP, Commercial Analysis, working closely with the Trading team to identify and calculate the pricing of aircraft for sale and to advance the overall Trading strategy. He also assisted the Technical, Finance, Risk, and Legal teams to ensure all transactions were appropriately structured, accurately priced, and completed in a timely fashion. Prior to SMBC, he was Business Analyst at Goshawk Aviation, where he acted as Functional Lead for all trading and corporate finance transactions and opportunities. Connaughton started his aviation finance career with Standard Chartered Bank as an analyst.

“I am delighted to have recently joined Aquila Air Capital. This is a great opportunity for me to join at such a pivotal point in the company’s expansion and growth. I am excited to be able to bring my extensive knowledge and skillset to assist in the expansion of the current leasing and trading platform,” commented Eoin Connaughton as AVP, Aquila Air Capital’s Commercial Analysis and Pricing. 

Connaughton received a diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ire-land, a professional diploma in Data Analytics from University College Dublin, and a diploma in Actuarial Techniques, including his designation as Associate Actuary and certificate in Finance and Investments, from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Science degree from University College Dublin. Connaughton serves on the Board of Directors and Credit Committee of Naomh Breandan Credit Union’s Loughrea Branch.

About Aquila Air Capital

Founded in 2021, Aquila Air Capital (“Aquila”) is a specialty finance platform focused on providing aviation asset financing, as well as purchasing and leasing aircraft and engines. Led by a management team with decades of experience in the aerospace and aviation industries, Aquila is a trusted partner to all players in the value chain, from buyers and sellers of assets to operators in need of creative and timely solutions for their critical business needs. www.AquilaAirCapital.com