Asset Finance: Aviation Finance | UK

The firm has a market-leading asset finance practice with outstanding capability across aviation finance, with additional capacity in shipping and rail finance matters. The firm advises clients on sophisticated structures, including EETCs, JOLCOs and ECA-backed bonds. It regularly works with banks and corporates on industry-leading deals. The firm is acclaimed for its well-rounded practice and its ability to provide parallel services relating to tax, litigation and restructuring. It is adept at handling AFIC structured financing products in the aviation sector.

Clifford Chance has a go-to practice for aviation finance matters, with additional capability in rail-related transactions. The team works with global aviation clients in complex ECA-supported financings, portfolio transfers and bank financings. The rail team works with government agencies, manufacturers and operators on large rolling stock and infrastructure deals. It draws support from the firm's extensive expertise in complementary areas such as tax, litigation and insolvency to provide a one-stop shop to clients.

Milbank has a leading aviation asset finance practice. The firm's expertise covers bankruptcy, EETCs, financing and operating leases including JOLCOs, as well as ECA-backed transactions. It is highly regarded for its ability on large cross-border transactions for global clients, including banks, airlines and financial institutions. The firm is also sought after for its expertise in Islamic finance transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright houses a deep bench of practitioners who provide leading expertise in shipping finance and aviation financing matters, with additional rail experience. The firm regularly acts for clients, including banks, financial institutions, ship owners, airlines and ROSCOs, on complex cross-border deals, including EETCs, JOLCOs and portfolio transactions. The firm also offers expertise regarding the AFIC aircraft non-payment insurance product.

Vedder Price has a strong asset finance practice increasingly recognised for its particular strength in aviation finance. The firm regularly works for clients including ECAs, operating lessors, investors and manufacturers on complex cross-border leases and government-supported financings, among other matters. It represents a strong choice of firm for corporate jet and helicopter financing.

Watson Farley & Williams has a highly regarded shipping finance practice with additional capability in aviation financing matters. The firm works on large cross-border financing structures for shipping and offshore clients, including asset sales, structured securitisations, and sale and leasebacks. It is regularly sought after for its advice in relation to matters concerning offshore oil and gas, LNG, and ports and logistics. The firm's aviation financing expertise includes work relating to commercial aircraft, corporate jets and helicopters.

Dentons has an esteemed department working with clients on a variety of aviation matters, including procurement and financing projects. The firm also acts for an impressive roster of major industry participants, including banks, financiers and airlines, advising on operating leases, aircraft portfolio purchases and pre-delivery payments, and maintains a fine track record for its work on corporate jet financings.

Holland & Knight's aviation finance team can handle a broad array of mandates. The firm is experienced in handling cross-border matters. Its clients include leasing companies, airlines and banks. The firm has notable expertise in sale and leaseback transactions, advising on Russian sanctions and joint ventures, among others.

Reed Smith has a notable shipping practice that works with private equity funds and financial institutions on offshore and shipping finance matters. The firm offers expertise in areas including shipbuilding-related financing issues and loan portfolio transactions. Its noteworthy aviation practice has experience advising on the refinancing and acquisition of loans, advising on sale and or lease of engines and general aircraft transactions. The firm maintains a global practice, with a network of offices in Singapore, Germany, New York and Hong Kong.

Stephenson Harwood has an impressive asset finance practice with ability across shipping, rail and aviation matters. The firm's notable rail finance practice advises on rolling stock procurement and leasing structures. It handles strong shipping finance work with international banks and ship owners on tax leasing, restructurings and ship sale and purchase. The firm's experience in aviation deals includes financing for passenger and freight aircraft. It is also noted for its counsel on complex plant and machinery financings.

White & Case has a high-calibre aviation finance practice regularly instructed by banks, ECAs and operators. The firm is skilled in debt financing structures, ECA-backed financing, operating leases and leveraged leasing. It also excels in capital markets financings and is additionally noted for its advice on regulatory matters and cross-border issues, particularly in emerging markets.

Clyde & Co has an established aviation finance practice which regularly acts for commercial airlines and banks. It advises on all aspects of financing, purchasing and leasing for fleets of aircraft, with additional experience in engine specific purchases and leases. The firm has an established shipping finance practice that is regularly engaged by lessees, lessors and lenders. The firm has capacity in matters relating to financing of tankers, yachts and cruise ships. It is recognised for its expertise in high-value LNG shipping projects.

HFW has an experienced practice with significant expertise in shipping finance matters in addition to its aviation finance offering. Its clients include shipyards, owners, operators and financial institutions. The firm excels in operational and technical issues, and maintains particular expertise in the offshore, yacht, cruise and LNG sectors.

Hogan Lovells is recognised for its ability in aviation financing matters. The firm's clients include ECAs, equipment manufacturers, air carriers and financial institutions. Its areas of expertise include ECA-backed financings, portfolio transactions, tax-based financings and securitisations. The firm offers strong cross-border capabilities, with asset finance teams in Paris, Singapore, Munich, Dubai and Washington, DC.

Hunton Andrews Kurth has an aviation practice that represents banks and investment funds, lessors and operators, advising them on financings, acquisitions and lease agreements, as well as sale and leaseback arrangements.

K&L Gates is noted for its capabilities in aviation finance matters. The firm's client base includes banks and leasing companies. Its expertise covers transactions such as acquisitions, financings and leasings.