Regarded as ‘the best in the market' by one client, the aviation team at Kennedys handles the range of transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters for a stellar client base including prominent airlines and insurers operating domestically and internationally. Experienced and ‘visionary‘ partner Dimitri de Bournonville heads the team from the Brussels office, where Dries Deschuttere, who was promoted to senior associate in 2022, is also highly regarded, standing out as ‘an associate to watch‘. The team is part of the firm’s global aviation practice, based in London, and as such can draw on a broad network of support to handle matters at a global level. In addition to his broad experience, Deschuttere is also developing a focus on the regulatory framework surrounding drones – a key growth area for the sector.
Aviation in Belgium
Kennedys
Practice head(s):
Dimitri de Bournonville
Other key lawyers:
Dries Deschuttere
Testimonials
‘Undisputed best in full aviation practice: from regulatory to litigation and aircraft finance.’
‘Dimitri de Bournonville is to the point, sharp and visionary. Great team. Dries Deschuttere is an associate to watch!’
‘Simply the best in the market, because they offer a combined set of services (contracts, regulatory, litigation) dedicated to the sector, next to their great expertise and excellent network. Having access to a global aviation department like the one at Kennedys is also a comfort, especially for clients active in more than one jurisdiction.’
Key clients
Ace Belgian Freighters
AIG
Air Belgium
Air Transport Services Group
ASL Airlines Belgium
ASL Aviation Group
Aviabel (Axis)
Aviapartner
CAL Cargo Airlines
Challenge Airlines Group
Charles Taylor Adjusting
Delvag
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Etihad Cargo
FedEx / TNT Express
Finnair
Global Aerospace
HungaroControl
LOT Polish Airlines
Macquarie Air Finance
Macquarie Rotorcraft
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Norse Atlantic Airways
Orix Aviation
Ryanair
Skytanking
Swiss International Airlines
Swissport Cargo Services
The Aviation Factory
Vueling
Work highlights
- Advising ASL Aviation Group in the context of the refinancing of its operations and fleet of aircraft by Goldman Sachs and Investec, including the security aspects, drafting and registration of aircraft and other asset pledge agreements and the issuing of the required legal opinions.
- Assisting Air Belgium with Chinese group Hongyuan’s strategic purchase of a minority stake in the company, which involved reviewing share purchase and shareholder agreements and obtaining approval of the transaction contracts from the Belgian civil aviation authorities from a foreign ownership control and aviation license point of view.
- Advising ORIX AVIATION on the sale of two Airbus A300 aircraft and the lease of an Airbus A320 aircraft to Brussels Airlines, which included assisting with the gathering of all conditions precedent documents and the review of legal opinions under Belgian law.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper fields a strong aviation sector team from its Brussels office, comprised of lawyers working across practice areas to provide full-service support to an impressive roster of clients including national and international airlines and manufacturers. Bob Martens and Ilse Van de Mierop co-lead the team, with Martens an experienced litigator and Van de Mierop well regarded in the transactional space, with particular experience in restructuring. Other notable lawyers include counsel Charles Dumont De Chassart, who is also prominent in restructuring, in addition to matters relating to the maintenance, design, and engineering of aircraft.
Practice head(s):
Bob Martens; Ilse Van de Mierop
Other key lawyers:
Charles Dumont De Chassart
Key clients
Sabena Aerospace Engineering SA
SABCA SA
Orizio SA
skeyes
Maintenance Aero Maroc SA
Jet2Com
Aegean Airlines
Emirates Airlines
Sabena SA (in bankruptcy)
Airwork Ireland Limited
Work highlights
- Advising in relation to the transfer of the MRO Business Unit (maintenance of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets) from SABCA to SNAE, which was achieved through a partial demerger by transfer.
- Representing skeyes (previously Belgocontrol) in various proceedings by airlines, airports and other companies in the aviation industry following strikes and absences for medical reasons by air traffic controllers, causing the Belgian airspace to be closed on several occasions.
- Advising the Orizio group both on a strategic military partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco – a joint venture that will provide services for military aircraft maintenance to the Royal Moroccan Air Force and beyond – and on the development of the new factory near Casablanca’s Mohammed V international airport for the assembly of aerostructures for PC-12 aircraft.
Erkelens Law
Catherine Erkelens, who is an accomplished partner with ‘vast experience in the aviation sector‘, heads the practice at the eponymous Erkelens Law, which provides regulatory advice, transactional support, and litigation support to a range of domestic and international clients. Key focuses of expansion for the team include passenger rights, where Yuri Quina is a key contact, and the emerging area of laws and regulations relating to drones, where Philippe Carous is developing notable expertise. Associate Stéphane De Schutter is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Catherine Erkelens
Other key lawyers:
Stéphane De Schutter; Philippe Carous; Yuri Quina
Testimonials
‘Erkelens Law is highly specialized in aviation law, and this shows when it comes to approaching a new case. The team has well defined roles and a good division of tasks between partners and associates, thereby providing a very efficient and cost-effective service.’
‘Catherine Erkelens has a very pleasant and direct way of communicating the most pertinent and important issues when it comes to the case at hand. Her vast experience in the aviation sector makes her an invaluable asset. It was a pleasure to have worked with her.’
‘The team of Erkelens Law has an excellent reputation in the field of aviation law.’
Key clients
Thai Airways
Menzies Aviation
All Nippon Airways
Air Malta
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Austrian Airlines
Swiss International Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Air Atlanta Icelandic
AmeriJet
Airport Coordination Ltd.
Aviatize
QP Property
Sky Service BV.
KF Aerospace.
Aerotranscargo.
Intradco (Chapman freeborn group).
RBG Operations, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised AmeriJet, a US cargo carrier, on the EU environmental law aspects of its activity.
- Advised Air Atlanta Icelandic, an Icelandic carrier, on the EU environmental law aspects of its activity.
- Advised All Nippon Airways on the legality of a new tax on departing passengers.
HFW
HFW‘s aerospace team is led by experienced partner Pierre Frühling, who divides his time between the firm’s offices in Paris and Brussels. The firm provides full-service support in regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters to a strong client base predominantly made up of airlines and insurers. Senior associate Alix d’Arjuzon is also noted, with a broad practice covering litigation, financing and leasing, and the drafting and negotiation of contracts, as well as a developing specialism in environmental matters.
Practice head(s):
Pierre Frühling
Other key lawyers:
Alix d’Arjuzon
Key clients
Aeromexico
Aeroservices Handling
Aircalin / Air Calédonie International
Air Arabia
Air Canada
Air Corsica
Allianz AGCS
All Nippon Airways
Arkia Israeli Airlines
AXAXL
Cargo Air
Cargojet
Cargolux
Cathay Pacific
CMA CGM
Corsair
Croatia Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delvag
El Al
Global Aerospace
Hi Fly (Portugal)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
La Réunion Aérienne
LATAM
Liege Airport
Luxaviation – Abelag
Nippon cargo
Pegasus
Swissport Cargo
Vietnam Airlines
Wizz Air
Work highlights
- Advised Delta Air Lines on several Covid-related regulatory issues, including access to European Union sanitary requirements.
- Advised Liege Airport on several regulatory issues, including EU aviation security regulations.
- Advised Air Corsica on several European Union environment regulatory issues.
AdaStone Law
Founded in 2021 by the ‘hard-working and approachable‘ Stéphanie Golinvaux, a former partner at HFW, AdaStone Law specialises in acting for clients in regulated sectors and provides transactional and regulatory advice and litigation support to clients including cargo carriers and major domestic and international airlines. Golinvaux is particularly well known in the regulatory space and Hannah Tacheny, who was made up to partner in June 2022, has notable expertise in competition law.
Practice head(s):
Stéphanie Golinvaux
Other key lawyers:
Hannah Tacheny
Testimonials
‘The firm is very much a specialist boutique, advising on aviation and technology law. I have experience of instructing them on the aviation side this year for leases/ financings of commercial aircraft registered or operating with airlines in Belgium. I am very satisfied with quality of work, time taken to handle, and keeping to agreed budgets.’
‘Stéphanie Golinvaux is the lead partner. Very hard-working and approachable. A safe pair of hands. Clear advice. Knowledgeable as to the aviation industry, and able to work through complex negotiations in a constructive fashion with airlines and leasing companies.’
Key clients
TUI Airlines Belgium
TUI Fly Germany
TUI Belgium
GECAS
Cargolux
Amazon Air
World Star Aviation
PK Air Finance
Work highlights
- Advised, in the early stage, a major cargo carrier on its replacement programme strategy for the aging Boeing 747-400 freighter fleet.
- Advised a major international airline in respect of the European Green Deal from an aviation perspective to its business.
- Advised TUI Airlines Belgium, second largest Belgian airline company with 40 aircraft, in respect of several agreements (ASLA, ASA, ASCA) to be entered into with partners.
CMS
The aviation team at CMS has a distinct focus on European regulatory and competition matters, which it handles for clients including public authorities, airport managers and infrastructure owners, ground handlers, and airlines. Annabelle Lepièce leads the team, and is particularly well regarded for her work for airports and on state aid matters. Notable support comes from competition lawyer Marguerite Soete.
Practice head(s):
Annabelle Lepièce
Other key lawyers:
Marguerite Soete
Testimonials
‘It is easy to work with CMS and I can always trust them for professional help. It is very personal, but still highly professional always. Exceptional company. I can highly recommend them – and I have many times.’
‘Annabelle Lepièce is a one of a kind person to work with. She is committed to her work and always on top of knowledge and the business. My trust in her is full and if I ever have any special needs in my work, Annabelle is the one I contact. She is the best!’
Key clients
French Airports Association
Aeroports de Catalunya
La Rochelle Airport
EasyJet
Sowaer
Aeroports de Catalunya
Oostende and Antwerpen airports
Béziers airport
Region Occitanie
Cluj Napoca Airport
Lille Airport
Strasbourg Airport
RODEZ Airport
Work highlights
- Assisted Airports Council International on the revision of the European Commission Guidelines on state aid for climate, energy, and the protection of the environment.
- Advised Aeroports de Catalunya on an incentive scheme for the development of new air routes.
- Advised La Rochelle Airport in the context of an audit of the French regional court of auditors on contracts concluded between the airport and Ryanair in relation to state aid and public procurement issues.
GDS Advocaten
GDS Advocaten has a strong offering in the aviation sector, with a focus on transactional matters such as leases, restructuring, and financing, and additional expertise in litigation. Birgitta Van Itterbeek and Mia Wouters lead the practice from the firm’s offices in Antwerp and Brussels, respectively.
Practice head(s):
Birgitta Van Itterbeek; Mia Wouters
Key clients
TUI Airlines Belgium
Challenge Airlines (BE)
LEM Antwerp
LEM Ostend
GEFA Bank
ABELO
TAM Europe
AVOLON
Equatorial Congo Airlines
Air Antwerp
Rolls-Royce
ACTC
Work highlights
- Assisted TUI Airlines Belgium with local law issues and delivery, and with regular fleet matters such as winter subleases and aircraft leaving the fleet.
- Assisted ABELO with the leasing of an ATR72-600 aircraft to Afrijet through a Brussels lessee, acting as local counsel to the lessor with respect to all local law issues.
- Acted for Rolls Royce with respect to local law issues for the leasing of RR engines – the transaction has been aborted.
K&L Gates GP
K&L Gates GP's team provides operational advice to aviation and airport clients, with a particular focus on those looking to access or expand into the EU market, and includes a number of experienced competition specialists. Philip Torbøl and Mélanie Bruneau lead the practice, with Bruneau a key contact for clients seeking regulatory advice.
Practice head(s):
Philip Torbøl; Melanie Bruneau
Other key lawyers:
Antoine de Rohan Chabot
Key clients
Alitalia
World Fuel Services
Amadeus
Coty
Multi Service Tolls
Jota Aviation
HeliService
KADRANT LAW
Specialist aviation firm KADRANT LAW‘s practice is headed by the ‘dependable‘ Giulia Mauri and Frédérique Jos. The team provides transactional support to clients in commercial and business aviation, including airlines, lessors, and lessees, as well as acting in litigation and assisting with compliance.
Practice head(s):
Giulia Mauri; Frédérique Jos
Testimonials
‘Giulia Mauri has a very strong background in business aviation law and is very dependable. She and Frédérique Jos are very much appreciated by our clients.’
‘A very experienced team with strong client focus.’
‘Impressive. Deep sectorial knowledge, of both technical issues and stakeholders. Great interaction with our team and very good alignment with our philosophy, priorities, and goals. Excellent credibility in meetings. Straight to the point, creative, and very clear in statements completed and solutions proposed.’