With over two decades in the aviation industry, Deepak Sharma has established AFL Aircraft Finance Lease Ltd. as a trusted partner to airlines, lessors, and aerospace leaders around the globe. Since founding the London-based company in 2019, he has steered AFL through some of the most challenging and rapidly evolving years the sector has ever faced.
“We stay close to our clients, not just through regular dialogue, but by genuinely understanding where they’re heading,” Sharma said. “It’s not about offering a product, but providing clarity, flexibility, and long-term value.”
Sharma, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, has built AFL into more than a leasing company. It is, in his view, a solutions partner that adapts quickly to market shifts, regulatory pressures, and fleet strategy overhauls. He has faced enough challenges to know that survival in aviation is not just about technical precision, but also about building trust where it matters most.
Deepak Sharma: ‘In This Business, Change Is Constant’
Sharma’s path to the top was carved through hands-on experience at every rung of the aviation ladder. He began his career in engineering roles at British Aerospace and Brymon Airways Engineering, a subsidiary of British Airways. His leadership trajectory accelerated at UK International Airlines, where, as Engineering Director, he launched the carrier’s operations and earned recognition for his contributions. That technical grounding, he says, gave him a unique ability to navigate complex contractual, operational, and asset management challenges.
Before founding AFL, Deepak Sharma served as President of Integrated Solutions at a leading global aviation services provider, overseeing an expanded portfolio and new solutions for clients worldwide. As Chief Technical Officer at AJW Group, he spearheaded strategic initiatives that strengthened market position and customer loyalty. Those years, he says, taught him that adaptability is not optional.
“In this business, change is constant,” he said. “What makes us effective is our ability to stay ahead.”
Building Partnerships That Last
The aviation sector is full of transactional relationships, but Deepak Sharma believes his company’s value lies in forging partnerships that outlast a single deal. One story stands out.
A regional airline, grappling with unexpected delays from an aircraft manufacturer and financing hurdles, turned to AFL for help. Instead of enforcing strict contractual penalties, Sharma restructured their lease agreement to give them time to recover.
“That support led to a long-standing relationship,” he recalled. “Today, we’re their preferred partner across multiple aircraft and growth initiatives. Sometimes, doing the right thing opens the door to much more than just one deal.”
For Sharma, trust is not built by delivering only when conditions are ideal. It is earned when a partner remains steady in the turbulence. “Clients don’t need a partner who’s only there when things are easy,” he said. “They need one who stands firm when things get difficult.”
This philosophy has become part of AFL’s internal culture. From the first day on the job, team members are told that the company exists to serve clients first. “It’s about embedding empathy, not just process,” Sharma said. Cross-team workshops, client insight sessions, and celebrating examples of exceptional service reinforce that mindset across the organization’s international operations.
Navigating Complexity with Precision
The financing and leasing of aircraft is rarely straightforward, especially when government policy, shifting ownership, and global regulations intersect.
Sharma recalls one particularly complex case: supporting a national carrier through privatisation in the middle of a multi-aircraft lease program. Multiple stakeholders were involved, from government officials to private investors and incoming management.
“We navigated that by introducing safeguards, clear communication channels, and flexible terms,” he said. “The transaction completed smoothly, and it became a model we’ve since used to support other clients in transitional phases.”
This kind of expertise does not happen overnight. Sharma’s background in engineering and operations, combined with executive leadership roles, has given him a holistic view of aviation’s moving parts. His degree in Aircraft Engineering and EASA license in multiple categories are complemented by advanced qualifications in aviation, contract law, and business administration. These credentials give him credibility not just in the boardroom but also in the hangar.
The Client Voice as A Compass
At AFL, client feedback is not an afterthought. Sharma sees it as a strategic asset that shapes the company’s direction.
“Client satisfaction isn’t just a metric, it’s a compass,” he said. “If our clients are telling us something’s not working, we don’t wait for the market to decide, we act on it.”
For high-value or multi-stakeholder transactions, AFL assigns a dedicated point of contact whose job includes capturing feedback in real time. Structured post-deal reviews follow, ensuring lessons are learned and adjustments are made.
This approach feeds directly into AFL’s strategic planning, risk management, and growth initiatives. It also influences how the company manages operational sustainability while maintaining service excellence.
“Operational efficiency, automation, and strong internal controls allow us to remain lean, while our client-facing teams focus on delivering quality, personal service,” Sharma said.
A Leader Still Looking Ahead
Despite his achievements, Sharma does not see himself as having reached a destination. Aviation, he knows, is defined by its cycles of disruption and opportunity. His focus is on ensuring AFL remains resilient, agile, and prepared for the next shift — whether that is regulatory, economic, or technological.
“We keep a close eye on trends like CORSIA or EU taxonomy and stay in regular dialogue with clients about how their needs are shifting,” he said. “Our job is to remove complexity and offer pathways that make sense, even in uncertain times.”
For Sharma, that means never losing sight of why AFL exists in the first place.
“We are here to serve,” he said simply. “That means listening, being proactive, and taking ownership. If we get that right, the rest will follow.”
From the engineering floor to the executive suite, Deepak Sharma has built his career on the same principles that define AFL’s operations today – adaptability, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people who trust him with their business.