Aquila Air Capital has appointed Matthew Schneider as vice president of origination for the Americas, the company announced.
Schneider will support the lessor’s origination activities and customer-focused strategy across the Americas while working closely with Aquila’s commercial and origination teams.
Aquila, which is based in Fort Worth and Dublin, Ireland, is backed by funds managed by global alternative asset manager Wafra.
“Matthew brings nearly three decades of experience in aviation finance and leasing, spanning deal origination, account development, and portfolio management,” said Chance Fowler, Aquila’s chief commercial officer, in a statement. “We look forward to Matthew deploying his innovative transaction structuring expertise to continue positioning Aquila as a leading engine lessor that is committed to strengthening our customers’ operations.”
Schneider joins Aquila from GA Telesis, where he oversaw global business development, trading, and remarketing activities as vice president of leasing and trading. In that role, he was responsible for supporting leasing and trading initiatives across international markets.
Before his time at GA Telesis, Schneider served as senior adviser at Plane View Partners, where he advised on commercial aircraft and engine aftermarket leasing and trading strategies. Earlier in his career, he held several executive leadership roles at aircraft and engine leasing firms.
Schneider said he looks forward to helping expand the company’s footprint across the region.
“I am proud to join the Aquila team and look forward to expanding our presence across the Americas through disciplined origination and enduring partnerships with airlines, lessors, and trading counterparties,” Schneider said.
Founded in 2021, Aquila Air Capital is a specialty finance platform focused on aviation asset financing as well as purchasing and leasing aircraft and engines. The company partners with buyers and sellers of aviation assets and operators seeking financing and leasing solutions.
The firm is backed by funds managed by Wafra Inc., a New York-based global alternative asset manager, and is led by a management team with decades of experience across the aerospace and aviation industries.