The aviation practice encompasses commercial, contractual, financial, regulatory and transactional aspects. The lawyers have been involved in the purchase, sale, lease and financing of commercial and corporate aircraft which, in turn, has involved closely working with aircraft manufacturers, airlines, charter operators, operating lessors' and commercial banks. We counsel clients on a range of different tax issues as well that affect leasing of aircraft, and engines, financing, sourcing of financing, and insurance issues along with compliance of applicable requirements of the civil aviation authorities. This has involved regular reviewing and drafting of agreements including sale and purchase agreements, leasing agreements, charter and management agreements, loan facility agreements and related documents. In addition, the lawyers have closely interacted with local and federal civil aviation authorities in various countries and understand the regulatory issues involved. Our team is experienced in structuring, negotiation, documentation, implementation in representations of global companies in the aerospace business. We also assist our clients with the implementation of their corporate strategies, M&As, strategic alliances and other commercial arrangements such as supply of hardware as well as providing technology systems, upgrading the existing systems and other networks used by the airlines. The aviation group works in tandem with the regulators and assists in managing the licenses in accordance with the changing regulatory regime.
Some of the significant experience ranges from acting for :
- The leading airlines in Dubai, U.A.E. in respect of the unwinding of financing, the sale and lease-back of several A330s and B777s and the subsequent registration of the aircraft as part of the successful closing;
- The civil aviation authorities in the preparation of an Air Transport Policy for designation of national carriers in bi-lateral agreements between countries;
- Clients on regulatory issues and assisted clients in registration and deregistration of aircraft and in obtaining required certificates and licenses;
- Several premier aviation engine manufacturers in setting up their operations in India and their continuing collaborations;
- Harder to finance airlines and advised independent management of smaller airlines fleet;
- Aerospace companies in various support arrangements including warranties, and guarantees and their enforceability in a range of different contracts;
- Companies and individuals and interfaced in the incorporation of corporate and individual companies in the BVI;
- Clients on the legal provisions on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul ("MRO") activities of aircraft engines, regulations pertaining to import-export of aircraft engines, and customs bonding issues in the MRO business;
- Australian FBOs on creation of a consortium to bid for tenders at the Delhi airport;
- One of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world in the establishment of a training centre in a Special Economic Zone in India to train airline technicians and engineers of airline operators of Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 in the South Asian region including India, Philippines, China, and Nepal.