Air Partner appoints Russell Hubbard as Director – Aircraft Remarketing
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Russell is based at Air Partner’s Gatwick headquarters and reports to Tony Whitty, Managing Director, Air Partner plc.
Russell has more than three decades of experience in aircraft leasing and financial management and joins the group from Hong Kong-based lessor China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC), where he was SVP Aircraft Trading. He has also held the roles of Global Head of Trading at Avation in Singapore, Head of Trading at Hong Kong Aviation Capital (HKAC) and Chief Commercial Officer at the Australian-based lessor Global Aviation Asset Management (GAAM), among others. His other professional experience includes carrying out airline due diligence studies, analysis on major aviation portfolios, and acting as an expert witness in commercial cases in Europe and Asia.
Twenty years
Russell’s appointment is the latest success for Air Partner Remarketing, which continues to go from strength to strength. The business started life as Cabot Aviation in 1998 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, following its acquisition by Air Partner plc in 2015 and subsequent re-brand to Air Partner Remarketing in 2017.
Over its history, Air Partner Remarketing has successfully remarketed a diverse range of aircraft, including B747s, B777s, most narrow body and turboprops types, private jets and helicopters. It works with airlines (flag carriers and regional) and other aircraft owners, such as banks, operating lessors, manufacturers, insolvency practitioners and high net worth individuals and its impressive roll call of current and former clients includes KLM, Cargolux, Lloyds Bank and Investec Bank.
In the last two years alone, notable transactions have included the sale of 2009-vintage Beechcraft King Air 200; the lease of an Embraer 145 to a European operator on behalf of Portugália; the sale and delivery of three Kenya Airways B777-200ER aircraft to Omni Air International; the sale of two B747-400s to Jet Midwest Group on behalf of China Airlines and the sale of two of Kenya Airways’ B737-700 aircraft, which were then leased back to Kenya Airways for continued operation.
Looking to the future
The Remarketing team currently has a number of mandates on a variety of aircraft, including a B787, several ERJ145s and an ATR72-500. It is also currently the exclusive remarketing agent for Saudi Arabian Airlines in respect of 14 Boeing B777-200ERs.
Tony Whitty, Managing Director at Air Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Russell to the team in our milestone 20th year of operation. The fact that we have been able to attract someone of his calibre and experience is testament to the high standing Air Partner Remarketing has in the industry. I would like to thank my colleagues – past and present – for helping to build the business that we have today, as well as all our loyal customers. I look forward to continuing on this trajectory for the next 20 years!”
Russell Hubbard, newly appointed Director – Aircraft Remarketing at Air Partner Remarketing, said: “I have admired the work of Air Partner Remarketing for a long time, and am excited to leverage my experience, expertise and contacts to help the team identify and capitalise on opportunities in the market, so that we can find new homes for even more aircraft.”
