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

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

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada’s recent successful claim for summary judgement against SpiceJet in the English High Court serves as a timely reminder of the issues that can arise in aircraft purchase agreements. 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

Structuring and documenting aviation finance and leasing transactions typically generates a high volume of paperwork, intense email traffic and the accompanying hours of time spent by clients and advisors producing and reviewing documentation and conditions precedent. Given the nature of work often involves large scale transactions, asset finance practices would appear to be the ideal … Read more

Welcome to “Aviation Finance notes”, Herbert Smith Freehills’ aviation finance know-how and market intelligence blog. We are delighted to be launching this blog where you will find regular updates on the latest developments in international aviation finance. Here, we will be posting a series of short articles, videos and podcasts engaging with current issues, trends … Read more

The unprecedented disruption to international travel caused by COVID-19 has created unique challenges for the aviation industry. In this note we consider how lessors can manage their exposure going forward and deal with the challenges arising from the pandemic. Consider clawback and local insolvency Lessors should anticipate the risk that local liquidators or insolvency officeholders … Read more