Clayton Utz is a go-to firm for aviation regulatory matters, including airspace approvals and applicable legislation, and is also an active player for aviation-related transport projects, notably acting for Transport for NSW on the Sydney Gateway Project. In Canberra, practice head Andrew Leece also works on aviation-specific agreements, commercial projects, government procurement, property and IT matters. His team represents both airlines and airports along with private sector airport operators and is also well-regarded for environmental matters, airport pricing agreements, airport leasing, precinct developments, security, and financing affairs.

HWL Ebsworth’s ‘extremely efficient’ transport practice provides a full-service offering to airports; it handles the full spectrum of operational, regulatory, and commercial matters including use agreements, property, and procurement requirements, airspace protection, construction matters, and safety compliance. The team likewise represents a number of leading airlines with Simon Liddy specialising in large scale accidents and Matthew Brooks focusing on passenger and cargo claims, collisions, ground handling agreements, and contractual disputes while also directing attention towards working for insurers. Richard Davis holds the distinction of representing the majority of the capital city airports while senior associate Kristin Hibbard is developing a formidable reputation for aviation liability claims. The practice also represents GA operations and aviation service providers with further expertise in assisting foreign carriers on their establishment at Australian airports. Named lawyers are based in Sydney.

The practice at Allens is geared towards airport advisory work, notably acting for Sydney and Brisbane Airports, in addition to other high-profile names. Its specialist knowledge is spread across corporate governance, competition, privacy, and development matters, among others, with specific work examples including renegotiations with airlines, leasing arrangement, infrastructure, construction and development projects, and environmental matters. Major financings in relation to drones, aircraft, and satellites are also integral to the practice which is fronted by Melbourne-based Emma Warren, a specialist in airport-related developments and property rights.

Clients note Clyde & Co LLP as ‘providing fit-for-purpose, practical and highly specialised advice on complex aviation law matters’. In Melbourne, practice head Maurice Thompson ‘forges strong bonds with clients’, specialising in aviation liability claims, including cross-border, attritional, and catastrophic major loss incidents. He works closely with Ankush Chauhan, a senior associate well-versed in personal injury and property damage claims in addition to aviation-related compliance and regulatory affairs. The team is also engaged for commercial transactions and drone-related matters, acting for a client roster of flying schools, government agencies, and high-profile airlines.

Mills Oakley Lawyers represents both airports and aviation operators, acting for the former on infrastructure, operation, construction, and regulatory issues and the latter on all aspects of their service. The practice is particularly active when it comes to aircraft leasing and maintenance arrangements, industry-related fundraising and stock exchange listings in addition to aircraft financing and charter agreements, disputes, and industry-specific M&A. Sydney-based Gavin Douglas leads the department alongside Richelle Brost who operates from Brisbane; their team holds distinguished expertise of fixed and rotary wing airline operations and regulatory arrangements and further differentiates itself by acting solely for the industry’s private sector participants.

Hailed for its ‘depth of knowledge, principally in competition issues’, the team at Minter Ellison is also well-regarded by aviation and airport industry clients for procurement, construction, contract management, corporate, finance, and dispute matters, among others. Beverley Newbold leads the department from Sydney, holding the distinction of Qantas Airways on a number of high-profile litigious matters over the years. The group is particularly focused on regulatory matters, acting on airport and airspace regulation and clearances, as well as environment, noise, privacy, and data protection concerns. It also directs attention to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and upgrading of airports, providing a cradle to grave service.

Colin Biggers & Paisley brings distinguished expertise in aviation insurance claims to the market and is headed by Melbourne-based Andrew Tulloch; he is frequently engaged for a range of insurance policy interpretation and drafting matters and is also active on the disputes front where he primarily represents insurers though also has a track record of acting on behalf of those deceased or injured in aviation accidents. Other areas of prowess include aircraft leasing and finance, hull and liability claims following accidents, and the defence of air cargo damage claims.

At King & Wood Mallesons, the team supports airports, airlines and aircraft leasing and management on a range of relevant mandates. Examples include airport and asset financing, construction and property work, corporate and commercial matters, as well as aviation-specific regulatory and competition matters. Dale Rayner is the key contact.