Skift Take

Steven Udvar-Hazy's advice seems particularly timely: “Usually, airlines don't go bust by having too few airplanes; they usually go bust for having too many that they can't service properly financially and operationally."

Justin Dawes

Air Lease Corporation has a unique position in the industry. As a company that purchases commercial aircraft and leases them to airlines, the company has a close understanding of the economic health of the industry worldwide. 

Steven Udvar-Házy, a billionaire and executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation, shared some thoughts about the industry onstage at the Skift Aviation Forum on Wednesday in Texas. 

Below are a few highlights from the discussion.

Air Lease Corporation: Beware Ordering Too Many Planes

Airlines have been ordering more planes in response to a surge in business post-pandemic, but he said they shouldn’t get too carried away in case there’s another economic downturn. 

“Generally, their eyes are bigger than their stomachs, so they order more than they can really absorb f