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Aviation regulatory

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The regulatory framework associated with this industry is complex; our team understands and advises on all aspects of aviation regulation and the potential impact on your business, whether it’s corporate, commercial or finance transactions, regulatory investigations, enforcement or litigation.

How we can advise you

Several members of our team have worked within the industry; we know and understand the complexity of the regulatory framework and the potential impact on your business.

Our expertise includes:

Industry framework regulation

  • The Chicago Convention, air services agreements, Open Skies
  • The EU Air Services Regulations – in particular as it relates to airline financial fitness criteria, pricing and transparency, and ownership/control
  • Licensing including AOCs, route licensing including scarce bilateral capacity
  • IATA Resolutions
  • The application of the EASA Regulation to safety, continuing airworthiness and air operations

Airworthiness and safety regulation

  • Maintenance including airworthiness, EU Ops, Part M, EASA Part 145 and licensing
  • Flight time limitations and crew
  • Dangerous goods
  • Safety and security
  • EU list of banned carriers
  • Inadmissible passengers
  • Disruptive passengers

Environmental and tax regulatory

  • Noise
  • EU ETS/Kyoto Protocol
  • Air Passenger Duty

Consumer regulatory

  • Passenger rights (including denied boarding, delays and cancellations (EC Regulation 261/2004) and Passengers with reduced mobility (EC Regulation 1107/2006)
  • ATOL Regulations
  • Package travel directive 
  • How our team will work with you

    Every member of the aviation team is client-facing, priding themselves on getting close to the operation and acting as an extension of your in-house team. We firmly believe in building long term relationships and engendering trust in the services that we provide.

    Our full range of services is provided in a co-ordinated and seamless fashion. Our approach is always focused on providing pragmatic commercial advice, bearing in mind our clients’ specific business needs, and always protecting their brand and reputation.

  • Our clients

    Our aviation clients include:

    • airlines (passenger and cargo)
    • private and commercial aircraft operators
    • manufacturers of aircraft, engines and components
    • airport operators
    • ACMI/wet lease operators
    • Maintenance repair organisations (MROs)
    • Fixed base operators (FBOs)
    • insurers, financial institutions, corporate owners and private individuals operating, acquiring or disposing of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters
  • Our experience

    The team has made commercial and regulatory work its core focus. Examples include:

    • advice and assistance on an engine maintenance contract for an Indian carrier
    • supporting an ACMI service provider with contractual negotiations with a client airline in the provision of a B737 for seasonal operations
    • advising the airline in respect of changes to the regulatory framework in governing the use and contracting of wet lease arrangements from third party carriers in line with EU regulation
    • providing assistance to the UK sales team of a non-EU airline regarding the potential impact of EU261 on significant flight delays/cancellations and potential third party recoveries. 
    • providing advice in respect of potential care, assistance and compensation payable in line with EU guidance materials following case law precedent at CJEU level
    • on-going passenger and baggage claims handling for another UK-based airline and tour operator
    • reviewing and advising on medical clearance policies and procedures for a UK-based airline and tour operator
    • advising on and settling a pre-action claim for disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 from a PRM against another UK-based low cost airline and tour operator
    • advising client on flight support agreements with clients engaging their services.  This included a review of the potential insurance, liability and risk management provisions contained within the agreement
    • advice and assistance directly to a major Middle Eastern airline, following an accident which resulted in hull loss and passenger fatalities

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