Aircraft Finance & Leasing

Overview

• Advising on ownership structures, financing models, security packages, jurisdictional considerations and risk allocation.
• Reviewing aircraft title, ownership history, registration status, encumbrances, corporate authority, insurance, regulatory approvals and transaction risks.
• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating term sheets, facility agreements, security documents, mortgages, assignments, guarantees, intercreditor arrangements and related finance documentation.
• Advising on the creation, registration and perfection of security interests over aircraft, engines, receivables, insurance proceeds, lease rights and related assets, including aviation authority and mortgage filings.
• Advising on International Registry filings, international interests, assignments, discharges, priority issues and IDERA-related matters where applicable.
• Managing conditions precedent, transaction closing, legal opinions, filings, notices, releases, amendments, refinancings and restructurings.
• Advising on operating leases, finance leases, sale and leaseback transactions, wet leases, dry leases, subleases, tax treatment, regulatory requirements and risk allocation.
• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating letters of intent, lease agreements, subleases, novations, assignments, guarantees, side letters, security deposits, maintenance reserve arrangements and delivery documents.
• Reviewing aircraft status, ownership chain, maintenance records, registration, encumbrances, insurance, regulatory compliance and contractual obligations.
• Advising on tax-efficient aircraft finance structures, including leveraged leases, lease rental deductibility, depreciation-based equity investment, withholding tax planning, tax-advantaged ownership vehicles and cross-border structures.
• Advising on delivery procedures, acceptance certificates, registration and deregistration, aviation authority approvals, lease filings, IDERAs and closing deliverables.
• Advising on airworthiness, maintenance standards, records, inspections, repairs, modifications, engine and component management, return conditions and regulatory compliance.
• Providing ongoing advice on amendments, waivers, consents, substitutions, reserve claims, compliance issues, redelivery obligations and end-of-lease settlements.
• Advising on defaults, termination rights, enforcement, repossession, deregistration, export, insolvency risk, recovery of aircraft and records, lease-related disputes and negotiated settlements.