Belgium > Aviation
Index of tables
Aviation
Leading individuals
-
- Catherine Erkelens Bird & Bird LLP
- Werner Esykens Allen & Overy
- Pierre Früling Field Fisher Waterhouse
- Dominique Lechien Baker & McKenzie
Allen & Overy LLP covers all aviation-related work, with the accent on financing, regulatory and transactional matters; the team is praised for ‘business sense, accuracy, and fast response times’. Werner Esykens acts for the liquidators of SAirGroup and SAirLines in appeal proceedings worth €3.5bn, regarding the 2001 bankruptcy of Belgium’s flag carrier. Clients include Aerocentury and Jet4You.
Bird & Bird LLP’s Catherine Erkelens high-profile instructions included litigation on behalf of several airline associations and 52 airlines in a challenge to Brussels Airport’s low-cost model, and on behalf of all Belgian airline associations in a test case on the recovery of airline security charges. New clients include the European Space Agency.
DLA Piper’s aviation work is complemented by strong litigation experience, acting on the appellate stage of the Sabena litigation. Ilse Van de Mierop was also appointed as liquidator of Cargo B, a Belgian cargo flight carrier, in 2009; Eddy Lievens is a former general counsel of Sabena. Clients include Cathay Pacific.
Baker & McKenzie delivers ‘timely, very high-level advice’. Dominique Lechien is well regarded for ‘expertly understanding the industry’, while Michael Van Acker made partner. The team acts for 3P Air Freighters in the liquidation of Cargo B Airlines.
Dugardyn & Partners does ‘very good quality work’, in aircraft finance. It acts for the two largest airlines in Belgium, dealing with Brussels Airlines on fleet matters, and Jetairfly. Birgitta Van Itterbeek is the main contact; Olivier Dugardyn is a travel law expert with aviation-related expertise.
Field Fisher Waterhouse continues to win work from clients such as TNT Airlines and All Nippon Airways, while assisting French-based CCM Airlines in purchasing two new Airbus A320 aircraft. Pierre Früling and counsel Giulia Mauri have a ‘strong background in this sector’.
Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick’s client list includes Aviabel, and Brussels Airlines, for whom it acts on commercial contracts, transactional matters and litigation; Marc Godfroid’s team also represents Brussels Airport in proceedings regarding aircraft noise exposure limits.
Loyens & Loeff’s team includes the ‘very commercial, pleasant, and responsive’ Grégoire Jakhian, who acted for VGS Investments One in the leasing of an aircraft to SN Brussels Airlines.
Stibbe acts for Brussels Airport on relevant regulatory, real estate and commercial matters. Frederik Vandendriessche and Rony Vermeersch ‘have the necessary know-how, and are very customer-oriented’.