Aviation & Aerospace

Operating through a single global practice group, Clyde & Co is widely acknowledged to be the world’s premier aviation law firm.

A broad and unique perspective on the aviation and aerospace industry

The aviation and aerospace sectors have seen a tremendous amount of change in a relatively short space of time. It has never been more important to not only navigate existing and emerging risks, but to capitalise on the opportunities that are arising in this evolving and expanding area. 

As well as working on many of the precedent setting legal cases in the industry, many of our team have experience of working for government regulators, in-house for airlines, as aeronautical engineers, aircraft and powerplant mechanics and pilots so we see these issues through our clients’ eyes. We put that industry knowledge to work to get deals done, solve claims, manage and respond to investigations, navigate through hearings and manage incidents.


Key risks and opportunities for our clients around the world

That is where our deep and broad industry knowledge comes in. As well as helping you navigate traditional aviation and aerospace specific risks, our global team understands the challenges and opportunities across every aspect of doing business within these sectors, including regulatory, financing, leasing, real estate, employment, data protection, intellectual property, passenger, baggage and cargo claims, as well as major losses. We are also proudly at the forefront of practice in the space and satellite insurance market, and are a leading authority on the regulation of drones.

Through our interconnected global approach, we offer rapid access to expertise wherever you operate. We can help you navigate these risks, and deliver guidance as your partner, in every aspect of doing business across this truly global and vital industry.

The service is top-notch. The team can handle transactions that have very tight and hard deadlines

Chambers UK, 2024

Clyde & Co's breadth and depth of experience in aviation is exceptional

Chambers UK, 2024

They have a detailed knowledge of this area of the law, a keen sense of the practicalities of the aviation sector and are dedicated to their clients' interests

Chambers APAC, 2024

I send Clyde & Co my most complex and international cases

Chambers Europe, 2024

Our Aviation and Aerospace Work

  • All
  • Africa
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East
  • North America
  • UK & Europe
  • Acquisition and Delivery of New Aircraft

    Advising an airline on aircraft procurement, from drafting responses to manufacturers for proposals, sourcing and acquisition of aircraft, drafting specifications on the fitting out of aircraft, delivery issues, taking delivery of the aircraft, and advising on contracts with providers of maintenance services to the aircraft.

    United Kingdom

    Airline E-ticket sales

    Advising various airlines and travel operators on their arrangements regarding the online sale of tickets and related payments.

    United Kingdom
  • Nairobi total loss

    Acting for insurers on Nairobi total loss of aircraft on departure from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (2014)

    Kenya

    Royal Air Maroc: award-winning aircraft financing

    Acting on the AFIC-supported French tax lease financing of one Boeing 737-8 aircraft and one Boeing 787-9 aircraft with BNP Paribas.  This transaction won the following awards: Global Transport Finance 2018 Aircraft Tax Lease of the Year and Airline Economics Aviation 100 Middle East & Africa Editor’s Deal of the Year 2018.

    Morocco
  • Nepal Airlines chartered flight crash

    Advising insurers in respect of the chartered flight to Jomsom from Pokhara which crashed on the banks of Kaligandaki river near the airport after it skidded off the runway while making a turn.

    Nepal

    Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303

    Handing the proceedings in relation to Pakistan International Airlines A320 flight 8303 from Lahore to Karachi Pakistan, crashed in Karachi on 22 May 2020.

    Pakistan
  • Reinsurance issues

    Advising reinsurers on issues arising from Mexican helicopter loss (2014)

    Mexico
  • The world’s first bespoke public vertical mobility system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Advising Volocopter GmbH, a German urban air mobility company, on the world’s first bespoke public vertical mobility system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Saudi Arabia

    Delivery financing of 12 Airbus A320 family aircraft

    Acting for Air Arabia in relation to the delivery financing for 6 Airbus A320 aircraft and the leasing of 6 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

    United Arab Emirates
  • Acklins Blue Cessna 402 crash

    Advising insurers regarding the Cessna 402 aircraft accident which crashed into Lake Killarney shortly after take-off from Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), Bahamas on a flight to San Salvador causing multiple fatalities.

    Bahamas

    Contaminated fuel claim in South America

    Representing an airport fuel services company in contaminated fuel claims by affected airlines

    United States
  • Airport Fuel Supply Agreements

    Advising an international oil company on its fuel supply agreements with different European airports.

    Germany

    Airline E-ticket sales

    Advising various airlines and travel operators on their arrangements regarding the online sale of tickets and related payments.

    United Kingdom
Aviation Support Services

Aviation Support Services

Business Jets

Business Jets

Carrier Liability

Carrier Liability

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Debt Recovery

Debt Recovery

Emergency Response and Crisis Management

Emergency Response and Crisis Management

Finance & Leasing

Finance & Leasing

Fleet Procurement

Fleet Procurement

Insurance Coverage

Insurance Coverage

MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul)

MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul)

Non-Contentious Commercial Aviation

Non-Contentious Commercial Aviation

Product Liability & Recall

Product Liability & Recall

Regulatory

Regulatory

Satellite & Space

Satellite & Space

Awards
  • Aviation Firm of the Year 2023
    Who's Who Legal 100 2023
  • Aviation Law Firm of the Year
    Who’s Who Legal Awards 2022
  • ‘Top Tier Firm’ for Aviation in France
    Legal 500 2024 EMEA - France
  • Ranked Tier 2 in Legal 500
    Legal 500 2024 - USA guide 2024 for Transport
  • EXIM Bank-guaranteed French tax financings of three B787s for Turkish Airlines
    Global Lease Deal of the Year 2024 - Turkish Airlines
  • ECA-supported multicurrency JOLCO for two A350s for Turkish Airlines
    JOLCO Deal of the Year 2024 - Turkish Airlines

Aviation & Aerospace Agenda

Read More

Key Contact

Kevin Sutherland

Partner, Global Head of Aviation & Aerospace

Kevin is the Chair of the Global Aviation & Aerospace Practice Group.

Kevin Sutherland has 25 years of experience representing clients in commercial, aviation and product liability matters. His practice includes representing airlines; airports; municipalities; government contractors; manufacturers of commercial, aviation, space and military products; and their insurers.



Contact Kevin



Our Aviation and Aerospace Team

Kevin Sutherland
Kevin Sutherland

Partner

Rob Lawson KC
Rob Lawson KC

Partner

Peter Macara
Peter Macara

Partner

Mark Bisset
Mark Bisset

Partner

Enrique Navarro
Enrique Navarro

Partner

Gareth Lewis
Gareth Lewis

Partner

John Samiotis
John Samiotis

Partner

Andrew Harakas
Andrew Harakas

Partner

View more
View our Aviation and Aerospace Lawyers

View more