The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘excellent, pragmatic and knowledgeable’ team has been kept busy with a range of matters including aircraft financing, finance restructuring, leasing, and regulatory issues. Department head Werner Eyskens is ‘proactive and knowledgeable’, and ‘truly committed to getting the deal done’.

Bird & Bird’s highly regarded practice represented the Belgian airline associations and 70 airlines in litigation against Belgocontrol, the Belgian air traffic control, following a strike by air traffic controllers. Catherine Erkelens heads the practice and is also co-head of the firm’s international aviation and defence sector group.

Monard – D'Hulst’s aviation group has been flourishing since Birgitta Van Itterbeek moved her practice across from Dugardyn & Partners in April 2012. A ‘go-to lawyer in Belgium for aviation work’, Van Itterbeek is particularly strong in aircraft finance. The team assisted Brussels Airlines as lessee counsel and advised new client EcAir with the purchase and sale-and-leaseback of a Boeing 757 and Boeing 737.

Dominique Lechien is Baker & McKenzie’s key aviation partner. The firm assists Brussels Airlines with aircraft leasing matters.

DLA Piper’s aviation work is mainly handled by the Antwerp office as part of the transport practice. The firm has been involved in advising on the strategic review of international and national air traffic control regulations.

Gates and Partners’ Brussels office has been open since January 2011, with the very experienced and highly regarded Dimitri de Bournonville leading the team. De Bournonville has been invited by The European Parliament to intervene as legal expert regarding the EC’s proposal for new regulations on ground-handling services at EU airports.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP has invested in its aviation capabilities firm-wide in recent years and hired Pierre Fruhling and his team from Field Fisher Waterhouse in March 2012. The four-strong team locally handles aircraft leasing, regulatory, competition and litigation matters, and recently represented Global Aerospace in litigation arising from the crash of a Gulfstream twin-engined jet in Democratic Republic of Congo in February 2012.

Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick’s transport department, which is led by the ‘pragmatic’ Marc Godfroid, excels at aircraft insurance matters. It acts for airlines and airports and has been developing its expertise in regulatory, commercial, contractual and claims matters on the African market.

Loyens & Loeff has a growing practice in aircraft leasing and securitisation. Corporate lawyer Grégoire Jakhian spends part of his time on aviation work. Recent highlights include advising International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) on a securitisation of lease rentals.

Norton Rose LLP focuses on the antitrust, competition and regulatory aspects of the aviation industry. Clients include Etihad Airways and Air Berlin. Michael Jürgen Werner is the key contact.

‘A truly full service Benelux firm’, Stibbe continues to act as dedicated counsel for The Brussels Airport Company. The firm also worked for The Flemish Region’s airport policy department on granting a public service concession at regional airports. ‘Service-oriented’ team head Frederik Vandendriessche has ‘in-depth knowledge in administrative law and public procurement’.

Verhaegen Walravens’ practice is centred on former Field Fisher Waterhouse partner Giulia Mauri, who specialises in aviation law, including financing, leasing, litigation, commercial agreements and regulatory matters. Recent work includes advising Brussels Airlines in various contract disputes.