Aviation

We provide strategic legal advice to airlines, lessors, financiers, and operators on aircraft procurement, financing, leasing, and regulatory matters, helping them navigate a complex and evolving aviation industry.
Key Contacts
Brennan PatrickMichael Ian
Airplane propellor

Overview

The aircraft procurement, leasing, financing and management sector is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. Both the aircraft leasing and aircraft financing industries have significantly evolved in the past 30+ years with manufacturers, financiers, aircraft lessors, airlines and private operators constantly looking for different sources of funding and alternate finance arrangements. As the economy shifts from strong cycles to weaker cycles (and vice-versa), these aircraft industry players are in continuous discussions to find innovative, yet fiscally responsible, leasing and financing methods.

Bennett Jones' experience in aviation law is unparalleled in Canada. Our strength lies in advising clients with an understanding of their short, medium and long term business goals. We provide practical business law advice, focused on our clients' needs. We enjoy growing with our clients, through building and enhancing relationships based on trust and understanding.

We can offer strategic insight and clear counsel on issues such as asset (whether aircraft or otherwise) procurement, finance and leasing, structured finance and securitizations, airport infrastructure, general banking and finance, taxation, securities, regulatory compliance including foreign ownership restrictions and insolvency matters.

,,Bennett Jones LLP has a specialist aviation practice, which is sought after by major airlines and aircraft operators to advise on the full suite of financing, leasing, acquisition and regulatory matters.,,

What Clients Say

Areas of Support

Bennett Jones is one of only two Canadian law firms recognized in Band 1 for Transportation: Aviation by Chambers and Partners ranking of Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business.

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Asset/Equipment Finance & Leasing

Aircraft Procurement and Management

Aircraft Maintenance Arrangements

Taxation

Aviation Incidents & Litigation

Foreign Ownership Restrictions and Other Regulatory Matters

Repossession, Restructuring & Insolvency

Airport Infrastructure

Client Work

Flair Airlines
in connection with the change of aircraft owners and the negotiations of lease novation & amendment agreements
Flair Airlines
in the establishment of an aircraft engine lease facility with FTAI Aviation
Flair Airlines
with respect to the highly publicized overnight seizure of four of its aircraft in March 2023
Flair Airlines
in connection with all aspects of their existing Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft leases
Flair Airlines
in connection with the implementation and ongoing administration of its passenger tariffs for Flair’s domestic and international operations
Jazz Aviation
in the securitization of its fleet of Dash 8-100 and Dash 8-300 aircraft and support of financing by its parent, Chorus Aviatio
Jazz Aviation
in the financing and leasing of 34 Q400 aircraft and 5 spare engines
Jazz Aviation
in the financing of 5 CRJ900 aircraft with Export Development Canada
Chorus Aviation
in aircraft-backed loan and security package by the Bank of Nova Scotia
Chorus Aviation
in the financing with Export Development Canada and lease to Air Nostrum of 4 CRJ1000 aircraft
Chorus Aviation
in the acquisition of 6 ATR-72 Aircraft currently on lease to Virgin Australia Airlines Pty and Flybe 
Chorus Aviation
in the acquisition of 3 Q400 Aircraft financed with Export Development Canada and on lease to Falcon Aviation Services and the subsequent sale of such Aircraft to the operator, thereof
Chorus Aviation
in the acquisition of 4 ERJ190 Aircraft currently on lease to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., KLM Cityhopper B.V. and Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V
Chorus Aviation
in the acquisition of 2 Q400 Aircraft from Bombardier and leases to Ethiopian Airlines Group
Chorus Aviation
in connection with a credit facility secured by inter alia, various aircraft spare parts, equipment and related assets
North Bay Leasing (now Voyageur Aviation)
in its financing with Export Development Canada and leasing of 8 aircraft
Air Canada
in the multiple financings, leases, subleases and refinancings of a variety of aircraft
Air Canada
in the Ex-Im Bank financing of 16 Boeing 777 aircraft
Air Canada
in the PDP financings with respect to progress payments for aircraft subject to purchase agreements
Air Canada
in restructuring and amending the leases and financings for its entire fleet of aircraft
MILIT-AIR
in a $700-million private placement of debt securities in Canada and the United States to finance the acquisition of the assets of the NATO Flying Training Program
Various corporations and individuals, in the leasing and/or financing of corporate jet aircraft
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
in the financing of corporate jet aircraft
General Bank of Canada
in the financing of numerous corporate and personal aircraft
Alberta Treasury Branches
in the financing of leases of various Twin Otter aircraft
ATB Financial
in connection with a credit facility secured by aircraft assets for Avmax
ATB Financial
in connection with a credit facility secured by aircraft assets for Canadian Helicopters
Air North
in the financing and leasing of various aircraft
STARS
in the financing of 3 Airbus BK117 D helicopters with ATB Financial

Recognitions

Chambers Canada
Band 1, Transportation: Aviation
The Legal 500 Canada
Band 1, Transport: Aviation

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