Deploying a very collaborative approach which leans into the firm's international network of offices as well as its broader finance competence, in particular, Hogan Lovells International LLP's small partner-led team is well-positioned to advise financial institutions, operators and lessors across a range of complex cross-border aviation finance and leasing transactions. Team head Robert Fugard has vast experience in the sector and has, over his many years of fee-earning experience, developed deep knowledge of a variety of debt products which has been beneficial to clients, both on new money deals as well as in a restructuring setting. As well as handling a myriad of financing matters for airlines, Richard Goss has also been very close to a number of lessors, assisting them on everything from new money financings and as creditors on airline restructurings, through to broader transactional work including establishing new leasing platforms and portfolio trading. Outside of the aviation sector, Shalini Bhuchar handles some shipping work for funders and borrowers, as it relates to both commercial vessels and superyachts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA/Arctic Aviation Assets DAC
  • Pembroke Capital (now part of Avilease)
  • Rolls Royce & Partners Finance
  • Icelandair ehf.
  • Babcock International Group plc
  • UBS AG
  • Minsheng Commercial Aviation
  • Société Générale
  • Bank of China Aviation (BOCA)
  • African Export-Import Bank
  • Viva Aerobus
  • Volotea
  • JSC Aircompany “SCAT”
  • LEAV Aviation
  • Avincis
  • Icelease
  • Emirates
  • Cross London Trains Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising Arctic Aviation Assets DAC on its finance lease facility for up to ten new B737 MAX-8 aircraft and two CFM LEAP-1A spare engines with CCB Leasing (International) Corporation DAC, to be operated by airlines in the Norwegian Air Shuttle group.
  • Advised new firm client Mexican low-cost airline Viva Aerobus on the $165m Balthazar-supported financing of three Airbus A321neo aircraft, Viva’s first use of non-payment insurance (NPI) supported financing and the first time this type of financing has been used in the Americas.
  • Continues to advise Cross London Trains Ltd on the £2.5bn Thameslink rolling stock programme.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Robert Fugard

Other key lawyers

Richard Goss, Shalini Bhuchar, Russell Green, Faraz Naqvi, Charles Ford