Aerospace & Defence

The practice group has extensive experience in handling a broad spectrum of matters related to the aviation industry including contractual, regulatory issues, financing & taxation and dispute resolution. The Aviation practice group has as its clientele, prominent international and domestic passenger and cargo airlines, MROs, aviation fuel suppliers, entrepreneurs as well as industry associations.

The Firm has represented leading aircraft manufacturers, operator (scheduled and NSOs) and financial institutions in transactions relating to acquisition of aircraft (by way of purchase and lease), aircraft components & engines. The assistance involved structuring of the transactions, negotiation, and preparation of documentation for aircraft leasing and financing, security creation etc. Further, the Firm has also advised clients with respect to registration of aircraft and handling of various compliance law issues, including those under Indian foreign exchange laws. The team has also assisted international clients in de-registration and re-possession of aircraft from Indian operators (particularly in the context of Cape Town Convention), including handling litigation and various regulatory issues in various Courts and before governmental authorities in India.

The Firm has also advised airline companies in India with respect to their compliance and operational issues.

On the disputes, the Firm has advised marquee international airlines as well as representative Industry associations on high-stakes disputes pertaining to commercial contracts, employment, cargo and ground handling, litigation with agents, passenger claims etc.

The Firm represented International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the matter of tariff fixation of major Indian airports before specialized Appellate Tribunal and Supreme Court.

The Firm was empanelled with the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), a statutory body constituted under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 that regulates tariff and other expenditure & fees for major airports.

The Firm has also handled issues related to foreign investment in airlines, competition commission issues, initial public offerings, financings, regulatory and other related issues for domestic airlines in India.