Aviation team recognised in triple award win at Airfinance Journal Global Awards 2022

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been recognised for its work on three winning deals of the year at the Airfinance Journal Global Awards 2022.

The Airfinance Journal Global Awards recognise excellence among market participants on deals across the airline, lessor and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) financings in all regions around the world. The Awards are judged by an external, expert judging panel from a shortlist determined by the Airfinance Journal editorial team.

The winning Overall Deal of the Year was for the US$6.3bn restructuring of aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital, with the Norton Rose Fulbright team advising an ad hoc group of secured creditors including Deutsche Bank, MUFG, Development Bank of Japan, Korea Development Bank, Investec, Export Development Canada, New York Life and JP Morgan, as well as several other lenders under syndicated facilities, together with Weil as co-counsel. The Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by Global Head of Aviation and Co-Head of Transport Duncan Batchelor and featured more than 60 lawyers from offices across the world, from North America through Europe to Asia, advising on restructuring, aviation finance, tax, competition, disputes and repossession advice and competition aspects.

The Lease (Operating/Sale Leaseback) Deal of the Year was awarded for the US$120m Insurance Supported Loan/Sale & Leaseback for three Air Baltic A220s, with Norton Rose Fulbright acting as legal counsel for the Lender and the Hedge Counterparty. The team that advised on this deal was led by Global Head of Banking and Finance and Head of Aviation for Paris, George Paterson, and included counsel Sebastien Allain, associate Hannah Oliver and associate Maxine Richard.

The Guaranteed Financing Deal of the Year was for the €520m ECA Guaranteed Loan for 10 A321neos, with the Norton Rose Fulbright team acting as English counsel for the Export Credit Agencies and the overall arranger, Société Générale. The Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by George Paterson and included counsel Sebastien Allain.

Commenting on the awards, Duncan Batchelor said:

“It is extremely rewarding to see our contributions in the aviation finance and leasing industry over the last year be recognised at the Airfinance Journal Global Awards 2022. The continued focus of our global aviation practice remains on supporting our valued clients throughout the sector and we sincerely congratulate all those involved with these award-winning financings.”

The firm’s global 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.