The High Court of Australia has unanimously dismissed the appeal of Wells Fargo Trust Company, National Association (Wells Fargo) on the construction of Article XI(2) of the Cape Town Convention’s protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment (Protocol). This decision is of importance to the global aviation community as it is the first decision by … Read more

Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS) is a fully electronic system designed to facilitate certain aircraft trading and financing transactions. We have previously discussed the practical considerations for lessees, lessors and financiers in terms of transitioning to GATS. In this article, we discuss the operation of GATS in an enforcement scenario. Read more

In November 2021, the High Court of Australia will consider the application of the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment done at Cape Town on 16 November 2001 (the Convention) in Australia in light of facts arising out of the administration of the Virgin Australia group.  The hearing will consider the interaction of the … Read more

Key takeaways Singapore Airlines Ltd v CSDS Aircraft Sales & Leasing Inc reminds us of a number of important considerations that parties should keep in mind in the context of aircraft trading, and commercial dealings more generally: Time is of the essence: “[g]iven the history of delay, prevarication and procrastination”[1] on CSDS’ part, the court … Read more

The Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS) is a fully electronic system designed to facilitate certain aircraft trading and financing transactions. This system seeks to streamline these often time consuming processes while at the same time increasing transparency and confidence in trading through the use of standardised processes and by recording GATS transactions on a secure … Read more

In Helice Leasing S.A.S v PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) TBK [2021] EWHC 99 (Comm), the English High Court interpreted seemingly conflicting dispute resolution provisions in an aircraft operating lease (the “Lease”). The Lease included an arbitration clause providing for “any dispute” to be resolved by the London Court of International Arbitration (“LCIA”) and gave the lessor an … Read more

Blockchain is seen by many as the most significant technological breakthrough since the advent of the internet. While digital currencies based on blockchain technology have monopolised many of the headlines, blockchain has far wider-reaching potential and new applications are capable of disrupting practices across many sectors, including aviation. Read more

The widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to renewed interest in potential bases for avoiding contractual obligations. However, arguing in English law that an aircraft lease has been frustrated by the consequences of pandemic, may be unlikely to succeed. Read more