The Aviation and Airlines Industry team at Sidley Austin LLP continues to advise clients on a broad array of matters, including managing fleet transactions, bankruptcy proceedings, and wider aviation real estate mandates. The group also has extensive experience supporting clients with sustainability-linked matters, including advising United Airlines on its Sustainable Flight FundSM. In Dallas, Bart Biggers has significant experience in restructurings as well as aircraft leasing transactions. He leads the team alongside Houston-based Kevin Lewis, who is well-placed to advise on senior note issuances. Also in Houston, Atman Shukla is not only a key contact for sustainable aviation but also has expertise in airline M&A transactions. For equity investment mandates, Grant Ellis in Dallas is a notable name, and Eduardo Marquez Certucha in Houston rounds out the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘World-class experience with and knowledge of the aviation and air travel sector.
- 'The team is always looking for a creative solution.’
‘ The group has significant breadth in the area.'
‘Bart Biggers is very knowledgeable on the aviation side, particularly on corporate-style transactions.'
'Spencer Lee is an excellent, detail-oriented senior associate. Able to coordinate many moving parts covering several entities and jurisdictions.’
Key clients
- United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL)
- American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL)
- Hawaiian Airlines (NASDAQ: HA)
- Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY)
- Marathon Asset Management, L.P.
- oneworld Management Company
- WestJet Airlines Ltd.
- Dubai Aviation City Corporation
- Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd
- Qantas Airways Limited
- United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL)
- American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL)
Work highlights
Represented the underwriters, led by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in connection with Southwest Airlines Co.’s issuance of $1,500,000,000 of senior notes, consisting of a $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.375% Notes due 2028 and a $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.250% Notes due 2035.
Represented funds advised by Wafra Inc. in the portfolio and platform acquisition of Aquila Air Capital.
Represented United Airlines, Inc. (United) in connection with the merger of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic) and Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Mesa).
Practice head
Bart Biggers; Kevin Lewis
Other key lawyers
Atman Shukla; Grant Ellis; Eduardo Marquez Certucha; Spencer Lee