Demonstrating particular expertise in the aviation sector, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP works across leasing, financing, acquisitions, and restructurings. The practice is led by Sidanth Rajagopal, who advises clients on financing, leasing, acquisitions, restructurings, and repossessions involving commercial and business aircraft. Manuela Krach contributes her expertise to the acquisition, sale, leasing, and financing of aircraft, engines, and corporate jets. Laura Crilly, who joined in September 2024, focuses on structured financing and aviation portfolio transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘An excellent high-profile, high-powered practice for aircraft leasing.’
- ‘Sidanth Rajagopal is a very safe pair of hands for aircraft leasing transactions. A commercial and solution-oriented approach.’
- 'The team has a broad set of knowledge representing airlines, lessors and financial institutions which gives them an unprecedented understanding of the transaction documents, the positions and reasoning of the counterparties.'
- 'The entire team is quick, practical and very proficient with the requirements for business aviation transactions.'
- 'The entire team has developed a commercial understanding of their clients business which allows them to think on behalf of the client.'
- 'Manuela Krach is flawless in her execution of deals and her focus on detail is second to none.'
Key clients
- CALC Global Leasing Limited
- ACIA
- Nedbank CIB
- Riyadh Air
- Veling Ltd
- LuminArx Capital
- Aerotranscargo FZ
- Dubai Aviation Co. (trading as flydubai)
- Air India
- AerFin
- Pulsar Aero
Work highlights
Represented aircraft leasing company CALC Global Leasing Limited (CALC) in the operating leases of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to German flag carrier Lufthansa AG, for operation by its subsidiary Austrian Airlines.
Advised ACIA on revamped financing with Investec Bank.
Represented Riyadh Air in its purchase order of 60 next-generation Airbus A321 aircraft ahead of its 2025 launch.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Manuela Krach
Practice head
Sidanth Rajagopal
Other key lawyers
Manuela Krach; Laura Crilly