Aviation

Air transportation is a vital contributor to development and global economic growth

Airlines and airports face an uncertain future - escalating costs, a decline in air traffic for passengers and freight, constraints on revenue growth, crisis-ridden capital markets, climate protection constraints and uncertainty surrounding aerospace and defense budgets.

However, there have also been recent positive developments in the market – the over-capacity of the world’s airline industries has been reduced, business models have come under scrutiny, and the aviation industry is looking to establish an agile infrastructure to provide more operating efficiency.

Clifford Chance's internationally renowned Aviation Group – part of a market-leading Transport & Logistics Group  – has worked with all parties in the aviation industry for over 30 years and is well-placed to support clients looking to achieve efficiency and differentiation in these turbulent times.

A first-class aviation team to support our clients' global needs 

Assisting a diverse range of clients – banks, arrangers, finance and operating lessors, investors, airlines, governmental authorities and manufacturers – has given us clear insight into the requirements of transaction parties as well as an in-depth knowledge of the aviation market. Lawyers from our antitrust/competition, corporate, capital markets, projects, tax, insolvency, regulatory and litigation practices work together to achieve our clients' objectives.

Our clients draw on the experience of a global Asset Finance practice, who form part of Clifford Chance's global Transport & Logistics Group and who bring together product and industry knowledge to advise clients on their most complex transactions across the globe.

Areas of expertise

We have extensive experience in all types of transactions involving big ticket assets, including:

• Debt and export credit financing
• Manufacturer support programmes
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Operating leases
• Restructurings and work-outs
• Secured lending solutions
• Structured finance products
• Tax leasing