ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2019 - 52

AT A GLANCE

Jay Hancock

Managing Director of Fleet at American Airlines

Jetrader: What do you like most
about the aviation industry?
Jay Hancock: The aviation industry
is a very dynamic business. There's
always something going on or
something unique happening. Whether
it's mergers/acquisitions, new aircraft/
engine introductions or constant fleet
dynamics that drive aircraft-related
transactions - it's ever-changing.
It's also a very relationship-based
business, with a relatively small
community of folks. You get to know
a lot of people pretty well and can
develop some great relationships.
ISTAT is a fantastic facilitator for that.
I really enjoy working with the people
in this industry.
Jetrader: What is the most
challenging part of your profession?
JH: Staying plugged in on what is going
on and happening in the industry on a
timely basis is the biggest challenge.
Our group is tasked with implementing
the fleet plan. So we need to understand
what's going on in the marketplace,
which can get pretty broad in scope.
Where are lease rates trending? What
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Staying plugged in on what is going on and happening
in the industry on a timely basis is the biggest
challenge. We need to understand what's going on in the
marketplace, which can get pretty broad in scope.
aircraft are available from lessors
and when? Where are aircraft values
trading? What do the OEM skylines look
like - are they increasing production
rates? What's happening in the
passenger-to-cargo aircraft world? All
this keeps us pretty busy, which is a
good thing.
Jetrader: Who has had the greatest
influence on your career?
JH: I've been very fortunate to work
with, and for, some very talented
people through the years. Since
everyone brings a little something a bit
different to the party, I've tried to learn
as much from each of them as I can.
I'm also surrounded by a great team of
folks that I rely on heavily to provide me
their insights and perspectives.

Jetrader: What was your first job?
JH: I was a structural engineer
and designed buildings when I first
graduated from college. My father
was an architect. I was always very
interested in what he did, but I had a
slight problem: I couldn't draw. Quite
limiting for that profession! So, instead,
I became a structural engineer and
designed how to make those buildings
stand up. I did that for 10 years
prior to getting my MBA and joining
American Airlines. I really love what I
do at American, but when I walk into a
hangar or any other interesting building,
I still find myself looking around to see
how they built it and how it all works
together. That engineering background
has served me well, even in my
current role.
ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2019

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