Aviation team recognised with multiple accolades at Airline Economics’ ‘Aviation 100’ Awards

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been recognised for its work on four winning deals of the year by Airline Economics at its thirteenth annual Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards (Aviation 100).

The Aviation 100 celebrates leading companies, individuals and transactions in the aviation finance and leasing sector that have excelled during the past year, with the deal categories rewarding the most outstanding and innovative financial transactions closed by airlines, manufacturers and leasing companies in 2023.

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Natixis and JP Morgan on the Lease Deal of the Year for a Turkish Airlines (THY) French Optimized Lease combined with a 12-year Ex-Im backed senior loan for three 787-9s. The firm also advised Euler Hermes and HSBC on the winning JOLCO Deal of the Year, a THY ECA-supported multicurrency, ABL Aviation-arranged JOLCO for two A350-900s; and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and ING on the Supported Finance Deal of the Year, a THY Itasca insurance covered financing for three A321-200s. These deals were led by Partners George Paterson and Sebastien Allain.

The firm advised the lender group coordinated by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as Global Coordinator on the Engine Finance Deal of the Year for a Shannon Engine Support (SES) Secured Portfolio Financing, which was the largest aircraft engine portfolio financing closed in the market to date and was led by Partner Fiona Henderson.

George Paterson said:

"We are delighted that these transactions have been recognised as deals of the year at Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards. The aviation finance industry continues to develop and innovate to support the needs of airlines and lessors for aircraft and engines and we are glad to play our part. We are grateful to our clients for the opportunity to work on such significant transactions and we look forward greatly to supporting them further in the future.”

Norton Rose Fulbright’s aviation lawyers work with airlines, banks and financiers, lessors and other industry participants on the full range of aviation legal services, including fleet selection programs, partnering arrangements with fellow carriers, travel companies and other third parties, regulation, restructurings, competition law compliance and aviation commercial contracts. The firm also advises on major aircraft financing and leasing transactions, including acting on significant ‘first-of-their-kind’ matters.

The practice holds 10 Tier 1 rankings across the leading legal directories, Chambers and Legal 500, based on the feedback of its clients and peers. The firm was awarded the ‘Most Sustainable Aviation Law Firm’ at the Airline Economics’ Sustainability Awards for its active role in supporting its clients’ sustainability objectives.