Aviation finance

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP

The acquisition and disposal of individual aircraft as well as fleets are core areas of expertise for Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP, whose practice is regularly sought out to advise on tax-based, Islamic, and commercial financings alongside securitisations and other variations of financings. Alexander Premont assists lessees, lessors, equity investors, and banks on asset financings, including commercial and business aircraft, while Tam Tran is a go-to advisor for international banks, often in matters with cross-border elements. Sustainability-linked loans form part of Guergana Zabounova's advisory portfolio, while Alexandre Salem focuses on project and asset finance, handling matters such as Balthazar-backed transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Hogan Lovells is one the most well-established law firms in Paris with an outstanding aviation finance team which is committed to deliver no matter what. Alexander Premont and his team are responsive and demonstrate pro-active and straight to the point advice at each step of our transactions.'
'They are market-aware and have a good understanding of the commercial demands of our clients and of our own internal requirements and concerns. They always manage to find the right solution with clear advice on complex legal issues.'
‘Alexander Premont is a talented lawyer who has a strong experience. He knows the industry inside-out as well as our internal requirements. He helps us with decisions-making and always provides good advice during cross-border transactions. He is reliable and has good leadership and negotiation skills.'
'Tam Tran is incredibly efficient and very dedicated to clients. She has an eye for details and we really appreciate her technical expertise and how she makes legal documentation straightforward and clear so that we can focus on key points.’
‘The team is involved, motivated and provides quality work and advice. It is also pleasant to work with.'
‘Alexander Premont is an involved partner, with a constructive approach, capitalising on his experience and expertise not only in aeronautical financing but in various other areas to highlight the real issues of this or that point subject to discussion and propose, if relevant, an alternative solution.'
'It is a great support to work with a firm with an excellent aviation industry practice as they invariably make the whole process of any financing as easy as possible. Alexander Premont's team members are clearly used to work together considering the speed and ease of communication across team members.’
‘Alexander Premont always has a thorough knowledge of the sector and a clear understanding of the issues at stake whatever the deal is. This combination of excellent technical and commercial expertise makes him a very good advisor and negotiator.'

Key clients

Air France-KLM
Deutsche Bank
Oyat Aviation
Credit Agricole CIB
Société Générale
Ingepar
BRED Banque Populaire
Simaero Leasing Ltd.

Work highlights

Advised Natixis and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as mandated lead arrangers and a syndicate of 14 international banks in relation to a €1.2bn sustainability linked financing to Air France-KLM.
Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, CIC and several other French financial institutions as arrangers and lenders in relation to the financing by way of a Japanese Operating Lease of new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Air France, to be delivered in December 2023.