Mergers & Acquisitions In Aircraft Leasing: Zeevo Knows How To Navigate The Messy Middl

January 14, 2025

We all know that M&A in the aircraft leasing space isn’t for the faint of heart. Sure, getting the deal done is exciting—but that’s only the beginning. 

Once the ink is dry, the real work begins: integrating portfolios, aligning systems, and making sure nothing (and no one) falls through the cracks. That’s where things can get messy, and if it’s not handled properly, even the best deal can go sideways.

At Zeevo, we’ve been on the frontlines of several high-stakes M&A integrations. We’ve worked alongside lessors to manage everything from portfolios and contracts to treasury and compliance. Along the way, we’ve learned some hard truths about what it takes to get an integration right. Spoiler alert: It’s not just about closing the deal—it’s about delivering value, minimizing headaches, and keeping operations running smoothly.

Here are a few lessons we’ve learned—and how we’ve helped our clients navigate the tricky waters of aircraft leasing M&A:

1. Portfolio Management: It’s Not Just Moving Aircraft Around

In any M&A, the portfolio is king. Managing the combined fleet, lease agreements, and customer relationships is critical—but it’s not as simple as moving assets from one database to another. Continuity is key: lease terms, maintenance reserves, delivery schedules, and novations (formal transfers of lease obligations) must be carefully managed to ensure a smooth handover and to maintain the value of the portfolio.

What we do:

• We create dedicated portfolio management teams to oversee key tasks, including data validation, novations, and lease compliance, ensuring no critical details are missed during the transition
• We run detailed due diligence and establish clear processes to manage novations efficiently, avoiding delays that could impact cash flow or operations
• We help lessors assess maintenance reserves, redelivery conditions, and lease terms, so they have a clear understanding of the financial and operational commitments associated with each asset

2. Integration: It’s All About Cross-Functional Teamwork

M&A integrations aren’t just about systems—they’re about people. Without strong coordination across finance, legal, treasury, IT, HR, and operations, even the best-laid plans can unravel fast. Each department has different goals, priorities, and risks, which makes cross-functional alignment critical.

What we do:

• We deploy cross-functional integration charters to align every department on deliverables, risks, and dependencies.
• We put decision-making frameworks in place so that when tough calls need to be made, they can happen quickly and with confidence.

3. Treasury & Cash Management: Not a Back-Office Function

In aircraft leasing M&A, treasury isn’t just something that happens quietly in the background—it’s a key pillar of success. Cash flow needs to be managed carefully, liquidity maintained, and debt structures harmonized.

What we do:

• We set up treasury task forces focused on optimizing cash flow, aligning payment terms, and ensuring credit facilities are properly integrated
• We identify treasury risks early on and build mitigation plans to keep liquidity in check throughout the integration

4. Data Integration: Plan Early, or Pay Later

They say data is the new oil—and in M&A, it’s essential to keep the engine running. But if you don’t plan your data integration properly, things can quickly turn into chaos. Merging different ERP, contract management, and treasury systems without a clear plan often results in inconsistent reporting and bad decision-making.

What we do:

• We make data integration a priority from day one, with clear owners responsible for validation, migration, and reconciliation
• We help clients design interim reporting solutions to ensure leadership has a clear, reliable view of portfolio performance, financials, and risks post-merger

5. Post-Merger: The Real Work Starts After Go-Live

Here’s the truth—closing the deal is just step one. The post-merger phase is where the magic (or chaos) happens. Teams need to adjust to new systems, processes, and structures, and without a solid post-merger plan, things can quickly spiral.

What we do:

• We help lessors set up post-merger steering committees to manage ongoing changes and assess their impact across the organization
• We develop training and knowledge transfer programs to make sure internal teams are ready to thrive in the new environment

HOW ZEEVO CAN HELP.

Mergers and acquisitions in aircraft leasing aren’t easy. They’re high-stakes, high-pressure, and if we’re being honest, a little bit risky. But with the right approach—and the right partner—they can also be game-changing.

At Zeevo, our team of 15+ professionals, all with hands-on experience in aircraft leasing, knows what it takes to get these integrations right. We’re not just consultants—we’re people who’ve been in your shoes. We’ve handled portfolio transitions, implemented complex systems, and managed cross-functional teams. We know the risks, and we know how to help you avoid them.

So, if you’re preparing for a transaction and want to talk lessons learned or best practices, reach out. We love helping lessors navigate the tough stuff—and we’re here to make sure you land safely on the other side of your next big deal.