Aviation team recognised with triple award win at Airline Economics’ Middle East, Africa & Islamic Finance Aviation 100 Awards

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been recognised for its work on three winning deals of the year by Airline Economics at its Middle East, Africa & Islamic Finance Aviation 100 Awards.

The firm advised on the winning ‘Editor’s Deal of the Year’, ‘Lease Deal of the Year’, and ‘Islamic Finance Deal of the Year’.

The Middle East, Africa & Islamic Finance Aviation 100 Awards is an annual event organised by Airline Economics in recognition and celebration of some of this year’s leading companies, individuals and transactions in the Middle East & Africa aviation finance and leasing sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright advised airline Flynas on the ‘Editor’s Deal of the Year’, a sale and leaseback transaction with AviLease for 12 A320NEO aircraft. This was a strategically important matter for the client as the aircraft made up a large portion of the upcoming deliveries of A320NEO aircraft from its order with Airbus. The London-based team working on this deal was led by Partner Will Alete, with support from Associate Maeve Naughton.

The winning ‘Lease Deal of the Year’ saw the firm advise international aircraft lessor Clover Aviation Capital on the sale and leaseback of 2 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with flydubai, the Dubai-based airline. The cross-border Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by Partner Richard Green, with support from Senior Associate Chiranj Shah, both in London. Partner Nick Robinson in Dubai, advised Clover Aviation Capital on UAE aspects of the transaction.

The firm also worked on the winning ‘Islamic Finance Deal of the Year’, for which it advised Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC on an Ijara facility in respect of the refinancing for Perilune of one Boeing 777-300 ER on lease to Emirates, arranged and serviced by Amedeo. The cross-border Norton Rose Fulbright team included Partners Fiona Henderson in New York, Robin Balmer in Dubai and Colin Rice in Singapore.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s aviation practice holds 11 Tier 1 rankings across the leading legal directories, Chambers and Legal 500, based on the feedback of our clients and peers and was awarded the Most Sustainable Aviation Law Firm at the Airline Economics’ Sustainability Awards for our active role in supporting the pursuit of our clients’ sustainability objectives.