Contrail Aviation appoints veteran aviation executive Stuart Weinroth as CEO

Contrail Aviation Support, a business unit of Air T, Inc., has named Stuart G. Weinroth as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. The appointment succeeds Joe Kuhn, the company’s founder and former CEO, who stepped down to focus on other initiatives. Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT), established in 1980, operates through 21 subsidiaries and employs over 1,600 people across six segments, including commercial aircraft and engine services. Weinroth’s selection follows a public statement by Air T’s Chairman and CEO, Nick Swenson, emphasizing the move as part of a strategy to enhance value across the aviation portfolio. Weinroth brings over 30 years of experience in commercial aviation asset management, with a focus on aircraft leasing, engine trading, and supply chains for airlines and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. His prior roles include Global Head of Commercial Operations and Acquisitions at Air Transport Services Group, as well as senior positions at Metolius Aviation Capital, GA Telesis, GMT Global Republic Aviation, and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Weinroth has worked extensively with Boeing and Airbus platforms, including managing operations for the CFM56-5B/-7B and V2500-A5 engines, which are central to Contrail’s business. Founded in 2000 by Joe Kuhn and Miriam Cohen-Kuhn, Contrail specializes in commercial jet engine trading, leasing, and used serviceable material solutions for narrowbody aircraft families such as the 737NG and A320. The company operates a 21,000-square-foot facility in Verona, Wisconsin, with satellite offices in the United Kingdom, France, and China. Weinroth aims to build on the company’s foundation, leveraging its expertise in engine and aircraft asset management to support Air T’s broader aviation services strategy. The transition reflects a broader industry trend of consolidating specialized aviation support functions under larger, diversified holding companies, positioning Contrail as a key player in the commercial aircraft engine market.