Norton Rose Fulbright's aviation group receives multiple accolades

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright’s aviation finance team advised on three winning deals at the Airfinance Journal (AFJ Global) Awards 2019. These accolades follow the aviation group’s recent recognition at the Aviation 100 Awards and Global Transport Finance Awards, with five additional wins coming at these ceremonies.

The AFJ Global Awards celebrate the best-in-class airline, lessor and OEM financings to have closed over the past calendar year, while recognising the organisations and teams that played central roles in these deals. Norton Rose Fulbright’s deals won three accolades across the Export Credit Deal of the Year, Restructuring Deal of the Year and Structured Lease Deal of the Year categories.

George Paterson, Norton Rose Fulbright’s Head of Aviation in Paris, commented:

“We're delighted to have worked with our clients on a number of award-winning aviation finance deals. The aviation finance market continues to evolve and grow which presents new opportunities for the industry.”

This year the team also advised on the first aircraft financing using Aviation Capital Group’s guaranteed financing product.

The deals recognised are:

Airfinance Journal

Export Credit Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Export Development Canada, Bpifrance Assurance Export and SACE SPA on the financing and re-financing of up to eight ATR 72-600 and ATR42-600 aircraft for Transportes Aeromar S.A. de C.V. Led by Marc Hamilton.

Restructuring Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised BNP Paribas on the restructuring of a combined commercial and French lease financing of seven 737 family aircraft for Bocomm leasing with subleases to Kunming Airlines and Hainan Airlines. Led by George Paterson.

Structured Lease Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Crédit Agricole CIB and Societe Generale as arrangers together with the lenders on the AFIC supported financing for three Boeing 737 -8 Max aircraft for Smartwings (formerly Travel Service). Led by Marc Hamilton.

Aviation 100

Lease Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Crédit Agricole CIB and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on their French Lease financing combined with a 10-year commercial loan of a Boeing B777 Freighter for Turkish Airlines. Led by George Paterson.

Global Transport Finance

Jolco Finance Deal of the Year (Europe)

Norton Rose Fulbright acted as lead counsel to Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) on the financing of one of its A320 NEO aircraft using a unique form of JOLCO financing structure arranged by Asset Brok’Air. The deal envisages the financing of a further 3 A320NEO aircraft also arranged by Asset Brok’Air but with a wider banking group. Led by Owen Mulholland.

Debut Jolco Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised the senior lenders BNP Paribas and Deka Bank on the JOLCO financing with senior and junior debt for El Al Israel Airlines of a 787 aircraft. This represented the first JOLCO financing for the airline. Led by George Paterson.

Aircraft Finance Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Crédit Agricole CIB and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on their French Lease financing combined with a 10-year commercial loan of a Boeing B777 Freighter for Turkish Airlines. Led by George Paterson.

AFIC/French Deal of the Year

Norton Rose Fulbright acted for BNP Paribas, KfW and Caixa on the AFIC supported facility combined with a French lease of one 787 and one 737 aircraft for Royal Air Maroc. This was the airline’s first AFIC financing and its first French lease and was also the first AFIC transaction for the lending syndicate. Led by George Paterson.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s aviation group works with airlines, banks and financiers, lessors, manufacturers, insurers, export credit agencies, governments and regulatory bodies on the full range of aviation legal services, including fleet selection programs, partnering arrangements with fellow carriers, travel companies and other third parties, competition law compliance and a range of employment issues. The firm advises on major aircraft financing and leasing transactions, including acting on significant ‘first-of-their-kind’ matters.

The firm’s aviation disputes group advises on all aspects of aviation industry disputes including delivery disputes, lease defaults and repossessions, airline passenger claims, risk management and contractual and insurance issues.

For further information, please contact:

Gemma Perks, Senior PR Manager
Tel: +44 20 7444 3104; Mob: +44 7711 191230
gemma.perks@nortonrosefulbright.com

Kate Farrell, PR Manager
Tel: +44 20 7444 3724; Mob: +44 7515 324 290
kate.farrell@nortonrosefulbright.com