Praised for its ‘incredible industry knowledge’, Norton Rose Fulbright remains a leading outfit in aviation finance, where the firm covers the full range of matters including regulatory matters and new financing structures. Financial institutions, operating lessors and airlines regularly turn to the practice to handle cross-border transactions and day-to-day operations. George Paterson heads the team and is noted for his experience acting for banks and export credit agencies as well as airlines in a wide array of financing matters. Insurance supported financings, syndicated lending and tax-based structures are amongst the competencies of counsel Sébastien Allain. Alex Wass is a further key partner in the practice, while Marc Hamilton moved to the firm’s Dubai office in 2023.

The aviation finance expertise at HFW spans business aviation as much as commercial, with the firm’s client portfolio consisting of a wide variety of companies such as airlines, airports and insurers. Fleet restructuring and insolvency matters form part of the group’s advisory capabilities under the leadership of Pierre Frühling, an experienced aviation lawyer whose know-how ranges from transactional work to regulatory and litigation. Alix d’Arjuzon was appointed to Counsel in April 2023 and has a specialisation in environmental matters in relation to the aviation industry.

The acquisition and disposal of individual aircraft as well as fleets are core areas of expertise for Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP, whose practice is regularly sought out to advise on tax-based, Islamic, and commercial financings alongside securitisations and other variations of financings. Alexander Premont assists lessees, lessors, equity investors, and banks on asset financings, including commercial and business aircraft, while Tam Tran is a go-to advisor for international banks, often in matters with cross-border elements. Sustainability-linked loans form part of Guergana Zabounova's advisory portfolio, while Alexandre Salem focuses on project and asset finance, handling matters such as Balthazar-backed transactions.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP's aviation finance practice reflects the firm’s global strengths in this space, where the group counts clients such as lessors, arrangers, and manufacturers amongst its portfolio, advising them on the gamut of English and French law transactions. A specific focus of the practice lies in debt restructuring as well as sale and leaseback transactions, with additional capabilities relating to cross-border matters.  Asset finance expert Alexia Russell heads the team and offers particular expertise in ECA-backed financings. Philippe Monfort is another key member of the team and is qualified in France as well as England and Wales.

The ‘high-performance team’ at Odi-sé Avocats counts commercial as well as business aviation amongst its capabilities, and is additionally well versed in financings relating to helicopters and the defence sector. Founding and managing partner Matthieu de Varax leads the team and is well regarded in relation to business aviation, though commercial and military aviation are also part of his advisory repertoire. Thomas Boone is also noted for his expertise in the financing and leasing of large assets.