AIRLINES
When you need high fliers on your side
We advise on the complex regulatory environment, critical day to day commercial issues and projects, aircraft acquisition and finance, employee rights, consumer protection, and protecting the airline should any contentious issues arise.
We also help our airline clients to navigate the rapid advances in technology within the sector. The impact of digitalisation, the growth of interconnected products and equipment (the so-called industrial Internet of Things), the emergence of 'Big Data' and the rapid advances in machine learning and AI technologies are radically re-shaping many industries. From our long-standing involvement in the sector, we are acutely aware that the airline business is no exception. The airline industry is undergoing a seismic change from the greater efficiencies enabled by predictive maintenance and the automation of operational processes to the opportunities to provide more personalised passenger experiences.
We have in depth experience of advising clients on the legal issues which arise in relation to these transformational changes, such as:
• Legal issues surrounding artificial intelligence;
• Management and exploitation of big data;
• Development and implementation of BlockChain technology
• Cyber and IT security.
We are also currently very active in acting for airlines in relation to OEM failures, particularly Trent 1000, LEAP and MAX.
The airlines we represent range from small point to point operators to some of the largest network carriers in the world.
We also act for many other leading aviation businesses such as lessors, financiers, aircraft manufacturers, MROs, tour operators and industry associations.
Our Aviation Regulatory and Competition Law teams cover the whole range of regulatory and antitrust issues which affect airlines and their business.
Our global aircraft transactions team is well-recognised for advising advises airlines, financiers and other investors on countless deals each year. These may involve leasing, commercial debt finance, structured finance and range from the relatively straightforward to some of the most complex transactions in the market.
Our Aviation Commercial and IP teams advise airlines and other industry parties on all relevant brand management, intellectual property, IT, data protection, outsourcing and other commercial matters including advertising and marketing.
Our Employment team is comprised of experts with specialist aviation sector knowledge who regularly provide clients with advice on all types of employment and labour issues specific to the sector.
Our Aviation Dispute Resolution practice has handled some of the largest and most complex and well-known aviation disputes of recent years.
Legal update: impact of Brexit on the aviation industry
As the aviation industry looks towards a post-Brexit world, it is still unclear whether the UK and the EU will reach a trade agreement to apply after the transition period, which ends next month. The impact of Brexit on aviation is far-reaching: as yet there is no agreement on air traffic rights, and the UK’s decision not to continue its EASA membership puts a focus on agreement on air safety. The Department for Transport has recently reiterated the desire to reach agreement as well as the potential implications if that is not achieved. Whether you’re an airline, airport, supplier, travel business or financier, you are no doubt looking to understand just how the industry will function from January 2021 and how the changes will affect your business.
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Countdown to Zero: A race against time to meet decarbonisation targets in the aviation sector
Dec 11 2023
