A collaborative aviation platform for decarbonization.
One Aviation
Research Roadmap
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(Interview)
60hr+
Desk Research
Our research spanned electric and hydrogen aircraft, sustainable aviation fuels, competitor strategies, and the industry's current limitations.
We also drew inspiration from parallel industries such as automotive and energy, as they face similar challenges reacting to decarbonization regulations.
15
Interviews
We spoke to airlines in North America, Asia, and Latin America, given that the major share of SMBC’s revenue comes from these regions. We gathered feedback from the airlines about their experiences working with lessors and identified their pain points.
Our list of interviewees consisted of fleet managers, financial controllers, sustainability managers, CEOs, chairmen, and sustainability experts.
Major Findings
SMBC AC and airlines are aware of the importance of ESG, but none of them are taking the lead in the industry.
“Airlines don’t want to address alone this challenge. None of them wants to be the Patagonia brand (expensive and sustainable).”
Investor Relation, LATAM AIRLINE
“ESG in this industry is a multi-stakeholders topic. Lessors need to be part of this network in order to address challenges such as decarbonisation.”
Chairman, SKY AIRLINE
“Decarbonisation is a complex problem that requires a systemic solution that’s not being lead by any actor of the industry”
Senior Consultant, CLIMATE FOCUS
The actual partnership model is not meeting the airlines expectations and SMBC AC is aware about this gap
“SMBC often changes the lessor before the contract ends. They leave us with another lessor we don’t know for the renovation process, that is critical.”
Chairman, SKY AIRLINE
“We work with lessors only because there’s no other better financial alternative”
Former CEO, AVIANCA-TACA AIRLINES
“When COVID hit our industry, SMBC AC was not a real partner for us. We feel that there’s not enough trust”
Chairman, SKY AIRLINE
Persona
Key Stakeholders
Journey Mapping
Airlines' journey throughout the leasing process
Sustainability Managers were often excluded from the journey of decision making.
