Air transport sector

Our team brings long-standing experience to the air transport sector, advising international carriers, trade bodies like IATA, specialized cargo operators, and major EU airport managers. We operate at the forefront of European and global aviation law, routinely guiding clients through high-stakes regulatory hurdles, EU merger control proceedings, and complex State aid matters. This includes representing British Midland Airways before the European Court of First Instance as well as assisting the European Commission on high-profile airline restructuring assessments.

We provide end-to-end support on critical commercial and operational matters, ranging from securing traffic rights and London Heathrow slots to drafting passenger compensation policies and structuring joint venture arrangements on major international routes such as EU-China. Our practice also covers global carrier compliance under the EU ETS carbon reduction scheme, intermodal "fly and rail" partnerships, non-discriminatory Computer Reservation System access, and aircraft leasing to give our clients total coverage across the regulatory and competitive landscape.

Indicative examples of our work

  • Computer Reservation Systems

    Successfully representing a medium sized European airline in an EU antitrust complaint procedure on non discriminatory access to a major EU carrier's Computer Reservation System.

  • EU Merger Control

    Assisting and representing a major U.S. airline in EU merger control proceedings for the acquisition of the European operations of another U.S. airline. This case established important precedents on the calculation of merging international airlines turnovers.

  • Noise Emission Limitations

    Advising a major U.S. airline on German aircraft noise emission limitations.

  • Passenger Compensation Rules

    Assisting a major international airline in drafting this airline’s denied boarding compensation rules in accordance with the relevant EU regulations.

  • Traffic Rights & Route Initiation

    Advising a non EU airline, with regard to the initiation of a scheduled air transport service between Buenos Aires and Brussels – obtaining traffic rights.

  • Leasing & Registration

    Advising two Greek specialist air transport operators, with regard to the conclusion of aircraft leasing agreements and the registration of the aircraft concerned in the Greek aircraft register as well as the granting of air operator’s certificates.

  • Non-Scheduled Services

    Advising an small size Belgian airline on the provision of non-scheduled air transport services on routes between The Netherlands and non-Member States of the EU.

  • EU Competition Law Advice

    Advising IATA on several matters relating to the application of European Union Competition laws to air transport.

  • State Aid Litigation

    Successfully representing British Midland Airways Ltd. before the European Court of First Instance in an application for the annulment of a European Commission’s decision approving State aid to Air France.

  • State Aid Assessment

    Advising the European Commission in its assessment of State aid granted by Greece to Olympic Airways.

  • Overflight Dispute & Alliance Strategy

    Advising a major international airline on the Trans-Siberian over flight dispute and its participation in an airline alliance.

  • Traffic Rights & Slot Acquisition

    Advising a U.S. airline on obtaining traffic rights to operate to and from certain EU Member State markets and acquiring slots at London Heathrow airport.

  • EU Regulatory & Competition Law

    Advising a major airline in the Far East on the EU Regulatory framework and competition law.

  • Cargo Operations & Litigation

    Advising a specialist Russian air cargo operator on EU cargo issues, market access and general litigation.

  • International Joint Ventures

    Advising a major Far Eastern international airline with regard to EU competition law compliance of its joint venture arrangements with a major EU airline on an important EU – China route.

  • EU ETS Compliance

    Advising several non EU airlines with regard to the application of the EU ETS scheme for the reduction of aviation CO2 emissions and successfully assisting them in formulating an adequate strategy to respond to the EU ETS rules and subsequently to comply therewith.

  • Fly & Rail Partnerships

    Advising a major Far Eastern airline on "fly and rail" cooperation agreements in Germany and Italy.

  • Airport State Aid & Procurement

    Advising a major airport operator in the EU on EU State aids, competition and public procurement issues.

  • Airline Acquisition M&A

    Advising a South East Asian airline in connection with the acquisition of Tiger Air by Singapore Airlines.

  • UK Airport Operations

    Advising a major South East Asian airline on the re-commencement of operations to UK airports.

  • Airport Incentive Schemes

    Advising a major industry association on the compatibility with EU competition and State aids rules of airport incentive schemes in certain EU Member States.