One of few firms able to provide dedicated aviation regulatory advice

We have a dedicated aviation regulatory practice, an area that is of growing importance to the industry. Our lawyers have a deep understanding of complex aviation regulations and of the airline business, and can advise clients on the commercial implications and consequences.

We act for airlines in relation to all aspects of aviation safety, security and economic regulation, and market access, pursuant to both international and national law. We have particular expertise in advising airlines on the issue of Air Operator Certificates and licensing, as well as on EU Regulation 261/2004 in connection with denied boarding, cancellations and delay.

We advise on competition law in the aviation sector, including on alliances and on mergers & acquisitions State aid rules. We also advise on code sharing, frequent flyer participation, bilateral air service agreements, international aviation conventions, and the ever-increasing volume of EU law affecting aviation.

Due to our extensive international footprint, we can provide advice on a multi-jurisdictional basis.

Our Regulatory Work

  • All
  • UK & Europe
  • Aircraft Charter Agreements

    Advising numerous operators regarding aircraft charter, wet lease and dry lease agreements

    Airport operator issues

    Acting for a London airport operator regarding slots, ground handling issues and charging regulations

    Airport Operators

    Advising airport operators regarding slots, airport charges, groundhandling, liability and international standards, emergency planning;

    Airworthiness and Type Design

    Advice regarding airworthiness and type design compliance demonstration and certification for civil and military platforms

    EU External Aviation Relations

    Advising various airlines, investors and the European Commission regarding EU external relations, horizontal agreements, open skies agreements and bilateral air services agreements; Advising a non-EU airline and its government in its negotiations with the European Commission on an EU horizontal agreement

    Flybe Slots Sale

    Advising on more than 50 slot sales, purchases and other transactions, including acting for Flybe in the sale of its slot portfolio at Gatwick to easyJet, and acting for British Airways in the landmark High Court case which confirmed that slots may be traded.

    Hazardous Goods

    Advising stakeholders on the carriage of hazardous goods by air and land; advising carrier regarding handling of mercury spillage

    Regulatory Advice

    Advising numerous airlines and other stakeholders on aviation regulatory issues including EU nationality of ownership and control rules,  EU ETS, air passenger rights (including under Regulation (EC) 261/2004), ATOL and package travel rules, Air Passenger Duty, passengers with reduced mobility, the carriage on unaccompanied minors, airline licencing and operating permits, security and counter-terrorism for civil aviation. Advising on web based selling and price transparency rules.

    Unmanned Aircraft Systems

    Advising UAS operator regarding access to airspace, airworthiness and radio spectrum usage; advising European Commission on liability and insurance aspects of a UAS study

  • Cross-border contract dispute for insurer client

    Acting for a major insurer in a multi-million pound cross border contract dispute following the counterpartys material breach of contract, advising on the English law aspects and quarterbacking overall strategy in multiple strands of the case in France and England.

    United Kingdom

    Cross-border litigation involving fraud and breach of contract

    Acting for a major corporate in cross border litigation relating to fraud and breach of contract with total claims in excess of £1bn. Including handling breach of trust litigation is London with various ancillary freezing orders and overseeing Arbitrations and criminal proceedings in Italy and fraud claims in New York.

    United Kingdom

    Dispute concerning complex copyright infringement

    Acting for a software developer in a complex copyright infringement, breach of contract and confidential information claim which resulted in a lengthy trial in the Chancery Division of the High Court.

    United Kingdom

    Software dispute

    Successfully defending a software company in a dispute concerning the alleged misuse of confidential information, trade secrets and copyright.

    United Kingdom

Our Regulatory team

Tom van der Wijngaart
Tom van der Wijngaart

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