Seaplane Asia Executives at Ishka Airfinance Singapore

In an era where regional connectivity and fleet efficiency are rewriting the rules of aviation finance, industry leadership requires being at the table where key deals and ideas take shape. Last week, Dennis Keller, Fabrice Mouton, Narudom Sumlee, and Michael Aumock of Seaplane Asia gathered in Singapore for the Ishka Aviation Finance Festival: Asia, held September 23–24 at The Westin Singapore. It proved to be one of their most impactful and strategic industry engagements to date.

Ishka brings together airlines, lessors, banks, investors, and asset managers from across Asia-Pacific and beyond — roughly 130 companies, most of them at C-suite, director, or senior VP level. The value is less in the stage and more in the conversations around it.

Dennis Keller on the Future of Aviation‍

The highlight was Group CEO Dennis Keller’s session on the future of aviation. He spoke about eVTOLS, cargo and passenger routes and the way “last-mile” operators and existing infrastructure will define the next decade of growth in Asia and the Middle East. The room stayed engaged, and the questions were sharp. He described a more cautious approach on eVTOLs, highlighting that the future of flight is not only about the dream of self-flying air taxis. Developments in propulsion technology for existing platforms, such as hybrid electric engine conversions, is imminently more crucial to explore, followed by new platforms that would first require to be proven under sandbox environments, cargo missions, and only then can they carefully be introduced for passengers. Full autonomous capability would also only come then, he noted.

The People They Met

Beyond the main stage, the real value of Ishka is the hallway conversations. Keller, Mouton, Sumlee, and Aumock met a range of financial people — investors, lenders, and leasing professionals — many of whom they plan to add to the company’s network list. Several of those conversations have already turned into follow-up calls.

Lease Returns: The Win-Win Lesson

The most practical takeaway was on aircraft leasing and financing, specifically how to set up a financial return so it works for both sides. Too often returns turn adversarial — disputes over maintenance status, end-of-lease conditions, and redelivery costs that erode value for everyone. The better operators treat the return as a single chapter of the partnership book, not the end of a contract. Financing new platforms, such as eVTOL, was another topic in the room, with no clear conclusions as yet. Understanding that a solid relationship is more important than any single aircraft is one of the foundations of a successful operation.

“The better operators treat the return as a single chapter of the partnership book, not the end of a contract.”‍

Looking Ahead

As Seaplane Asia expands across Southeast Asia and the Gulf, the Singapore discussions will shape how the company structures deals, manages fleet relationships, and approaches new markets. The region is growing, capital is moving into aviation, and the operators who understand both the metal and the money will be the ones who do well.

The four execs left with a clear set of priorities, a stronger contact list, and a few good dinners behind them. They are already looking forward to next year.

‍Connect with Seaplane Asia

Interested in exploring partnership opportunities or learning more about our regional expansion? Reach out to the Seaplane Asia executive team today to start the conversation.