Our aviation finance and leasing practice is recognised by the legal directories for its "involvement in a significant volume of ongoing big-ticket aircraft financing and leasing" and for its "good service and reliability". "A marked rise in the firm's international profile among airlines and operators" has also drawn comment.
Over the past couple of years, the team has been involved in aviation finance and leasing transactions in every continent. This has involved over 135 large aircraft transactions, 311 aircraft, 67 airlines and approximately 42 lessee jurisdictions.
“Clients particularly praised the firm’s deep specialisation in the aviation industry.” They also tell us they can trust and rely on us, that they enjoy working with us and that we deliver for them. We are known for our high-quality, partner-driven and cost-effective service and are recognised by the main legal directories as a leading aviation finance and leasing practice.
We have extensive experience of most types of relevant structure and product, including:
- Financing: secured and unsecured loan and lease financing, including pre-delivery payments financing and export credit-supported financing
- Leasing: leasing transactions including finance leases, operating leases, tax leases (with a particular expertise in relation to Japanese operating leasing) and wet leases and charters
- Acquisitions: manufacturer purchase contracts (new aircraft/engines) and used aircraft sale and purchase (with extensive re-fleeting experience for both airlines and financiers)
The aviation finance and leasing practice is centred on our London, Paris, New York, Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) and Far East (Singapore, Hong Kong) offices. Dedicated and experienced partner-led teams are based in each of these regions.
We advise a number of established banks and financing parties, aircraft lessors and regional and flag-carrier airlines. More interestingly, we are recognised for our ability to handle transactions for large commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, business jets, engines and helicopters alike – all in the context of 80 years' aviation industry experience.