in Aircraft values, Lease Rates & Returns , Lessors & Asset managers , Airline trends & analysis
Tuesday 17 February 2026
Ishka / AFG deals of the year submissions now open until 23 February
Call for awards submissions extended
Ishka and Airfinance Global have extended the submission deadline for their combined Deals of the Year Awards to the 23rd of February.
Ishka and Airfinance Global have teamed up to run a joint awards process. Valued for their independence and transparency, these joint awards represent the market-leading deals rated on innovation, timing, size, complexity, and ability to overcome obstacles, and set new industry benchmarks.
Who decides the awards?
We are delighted to announce that the following senior aviation finance executives have agreed to serve on the judging panel, ensuring independence and rigour throughout the process.
- Bertrand Grabowski, former executive board member of DVB Bank, a board member for Ryanair Group, and a non-executive director for Jazeera Airways
- Robert Martin, non-executive director and former CEO of BOC Aviation
- Olaf Sachau, former CEO and managing director of Intrepid Aviation and advisor to Itasca MGA
- Richard Moody, former global head of transportation financing at Deutsche Bank and HCOB Aviation Capital
- Ulrike Ziegler, president of the board of directors of Impact on Sustainable Aviation
The judges will not vote in categories in which their former employers are nominated.
Which deals are eligible, and who can submit deals?
The awards recognise financing transactions and M&A for airlines, lessors and investors. Any deal participant can submit an award, including lawyers, advisors, airlines, banks, investors, OEMs and lessors.
To be eligible for an award, all deals must have been closed by the end of 2025. The deadline for submissions is the 23rd of February.
How to submit
Please click the link to download a submission form.
Please submit all award proposals to awards@ishkaglobal.com.
If you have any additional queries about the system or the awards process, please get in touch with Dickon Harris (dickon@ishkaglobal.com)
This year’s categories include:
Regional Awards (9)
Africa Deal of the Year
Americas M&A Deal of the Year
Asia-Pacific Deal of the Year
Best Asian M&A Deal of the Year
Europe Deal of the Year
European M&A Deal of the Year
Latin America Deal of the Year
Middle East Deal of the Year
North America Deal of the Year
Global Product Awards (15)
ABS Deal of the Year
Alt Lender Deal of the Year
Bank Loan Deal of the Year
Capital Markets Deal of the Year
Cargo Deal of the Year
Editor’s Choice
Engine Deal of the Year
Lease Deal of the Year (Op Lease or SLB).
Most Innovative Deal of the Year
Regional Aircraft Deal of the Year
Restructuring Deal of the Year
Supported Financing Deal of the Year
Sustainable Financing Pioneer Award
Tax Lease Deal of the Year
Used Aircraft Deal of the Year
Team & Individual Awards (3)
Aviation Finance House of the Year
(Please note there is a separate submission form
(that can be downloaded here) to help lenders submit deals for this award.)
Lessor of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
(Decided by the editorial team)
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