Herbert Smith Freehills advises Airbus SE on the negotiation of an 8 billion euro ESG-linked Revolving Credit Facility agreement

International leading law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Airbus SE, global leader in aeronautics, defence, space, and related services, on the negotiation of an 8 billion euro ESG-linked Revolving Credit Facility agreement. The documentation includes a margin adjustment mechanism based on ESG criteria. The banking syndicate was coordinated by UniCredit Bank, BNP Paribas, Crédit … Read more

Sustainable and green lending in the aviation industry

In this short podcast, Tim Hunter-Jones, a senior associate in our asset finance team in London, looks at some of the issues in sustainable and green finance in the aviation sector, including the importance of the EU Taxonomy in determining what is sustainable, and the role of state aid in promoting a greater focus on … Read more

The aviation industry resolves to be carbon neutral by 2050

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on 4 October this year has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is no small undertaking: it will require the co-ordination of all industry stakeholders to mitigate an estimated 1.8 gigatons of carbon at an estimated cost of 2 trillion USD. This commitment will align with … Read more

ENGLISH HIGH COURT STAYS COURT PROCEEDINGS IN FAVOUR OF ARBITRATION AND INTERPRETS CONFLICTING DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROVISIONS

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: novel opportunities for improving efficiency in aviation

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

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement – implications for Aviation

The new trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and UK (the “Agreement”) contains a chapter governing the EU/UK aviation relationship, reflecting the EU’s intention to comprehensively address that relationship within the scope of the envisaged partnership between the EU and UK. A brief overview of the key provisions follows below. The Agreement also establishes … Read more

Will COVID Frustrate an Aircraft Lease?

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