With a 'solid understanding of all aspects of aircraft financing', Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is able to provide 'commercially driven advice' to banks, lessors and airlines across a range of matters including general financing (both conventional and Islamic), aircraft leasing, restructurings, new aircraft orders and private aviation. 'Very knowledgeable' team head Sidanth Rajagopal splits his time between the London and Dubai offices and is noted for his ability to provide 'sensible advice on the most complex matters'. Manuela Krach is also a key member of the team and is appreciated for her ability to combine 'in-depth understanding of the client's business and needs with technical excellence'.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is calm, calculated and very knowledgeable.'
  • 'They have an ability to deliver timely and commercially driven advice while keeping a very transparent fee structure.'
  • 'The team has a solid understanding of all aspects of aircraft financing and related matters and has a significant breadth of relevant market experience.'
  • 'The very knowledgeable Sidanth Rajagopal has a very strong commercial understanding.'
  • 'Sidanth Rajagopal's commercial awareness coupled with his legal prowess makes him standout as he is able provide sensible advice on the most complex matters.'
  • 'Manuela Krach is highly intelligent with incredible attention to detail and therefore providing rock solid advice to her clients.'
  • 'Manuela Krach is a very experienced and excellent aviation financing lawyer. She combines a commercial approach and an in-depth understanding of the client's business and needs with technical excellence.'

Key clients

  • Aircastle Advisor
  • Carlyle Aviation Partners
  • Merx Aviation Finance
  • Vx Capital Partners
  • Zephyrus Aviation Capital
  • Riyadh Air
  • GTLK Europe
  • Voyager Aviation Holdings
  • Avation plc – VietJet
  • SKY Leasing
  • ACIA Aero Leasing (Ireland) Limited
  • Dubai Aviation Corporation (t/a flydubai)
  • Nedbank CIB
  • Etihad Aviation Training LLC

Work highlights

  • Representing various clients in litigation in the Commercial Court against the various international reinsurers who participated in the reinsurance of interests in aircraft let to the Russian airlines.
  • Advising Riyadh Air on their Customer Services General Terms Agreement with The Boeing Company as well as their purchase order with The Boeing Company of Boeing 787 (Dreamliners) which includes a confirmed order of 39 aircraft with an option to purchase 33 additional aircraft.
  • Represented niche aircraft leasing specialist Veling Ltd in the refinancing of three Airbus A380 aircraft on lease to Emirates.

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.

Sidanth Rajagopal

Other key lawyers

Manuela Krach, Atif Ayub