January/February 2026
Aviation Finance: A Look Back at 2025 and Trends to Watch in 2026
The aviation finance industry underwent significant transformation in 2025, including the sizable impact of export controls and economic sanctions, a robust recovery in passenger travel, and continued activity in airline restructurings and liquidations.
Holland & Knight's Aircraft Finance Team has published an article series that reviews recent aviation finance trends and provides a glimpse of what's to come for manufacturers, airlines, lenders and other key players.
Articles and their focus areas are:
- Aviation Finance: 2025 Sanctions Update and 2026 Outlook. By Senior Counsel Cynthia Liu, the article reviews the effects of sanctions and export control restrictions, China military end user restrictions and the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
- Aviation Outlook. From Partner William R. Coleman, this article examines market recovery and drivers of growth, operational and financial challenges, and sustainability and digital transformation.
- 2025 Aviation Bankruptcy Update. Written by Partners Barbra R. Parlin and Brian Smith, the article details recent noteworthy U.S. and international airline Chapter 11 proceedings and restructurings.
The publication also shares how our Aviation Finance attorneys can help stakeholders navigate the ongoing changes in the industry.