With longstanding experience in aircraft finance and aviation industry work, White & Case LLP‘s full-service team acts for major airlines, national and regional airlines, foreign flag carriers, charter airlines, and cargo carriers. The team’s representative expertise ranges from aircraft finance, long-term maintenance agreements, joint ventures and M&A, to regulatory issues, restructuring, capital markets, structured finance, and credit card processing arrangements. In New York, asset finance specialist Todd Wolynski has notable aviation industry experience, his broad expertise covering aircraft and helicopter finance, equipment leasing, and other cross-border corporate and finance transactions. Wolynski also has extensive experience in aviation sector-related M&A, restructurings and bankruptcies. Over in Miami, Anna Andreeva regularly advises on asset finance and equipment leasing transactions, while Brian Schmelkin’s practice encompasses high-stakes deals for aircraft leasing companies, airlines and financial institutions.
Key clients
- Azul Airlines
- BNDES
- BBAM Aircraft Management LP
- JetBlue Airways Corporation
- Aeromexico
- Carlyle Aviation Partners Ltd
- Aviation Capital Group Corp
- TD Bank
- Azorra Aviation
- Bristow Group
Work highlights
- Represented Azul Airlines, a Brazilian airline company, on the restructuring of its aircraft lease obligations across its fleet, as well as a restructuring of its obligations to original equipment manufacturers and existing bondholders.
- Represented JetBlue, as debt and aviation counsel, on its ongoing acquisition of Spirit Airlines, Inc, including in the negotiation of a commitment letter with various financing parties.
- Represented Aeromexico, as special aviation counsel, during its Chapter 11 proceedings, which included re-negotiating the contracts for its aircraft and spare engine fleet.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Christian Hansen