Our track record in Aviation stretches back over three decades to advising on Olympic Airways financing transactions and the opening of the market to private operators in Greece.
We act in leveraged leasing, export credit finance, sale and leaseback and asset financing transactions. We advise private airlines in their establishment, financing, aircraft acquisition, leasing and chartering and on regulatory, licensing and ground handling issues. We have acted in all the major privatisations to have taken place in Greece in the Aviation sector, including advising the Hellenic Republic in the landmark €177.2m privatisation of the national airline, Olympic Airways.
Recent Experience
Lease Agreements and Mortgage Arrangements
We are advising an aviation company on the novation of lease agreements including head leases, subleases and mortgage arrangements, as well as on legal procedures for registration and enforcement.
Asset Financing and Greek Law Security Interests
We advised a leading aircraft lessor on the Greek law aspects of its debt restructuring, in particular the release and granting of aircraft mortgages and the legal procedures for their registration and enforceability.
Ongoing Advice to Leading Aircraft Manufacturer
We advise a leading aircraft manufacturer on an ongoing basis in their participation in tenders for the supply of military aircraft, follow on support in relation to the provision of parts and their entry into offset contracts.
Securitisation of Aircraft Lease Portfolio
We have advised international financial institutions on the securitisation of their claims against owners of aircraft by the security assignment of aircraft leases between the aircraft owners and a Greek airline. We continue to respond to extensive jurisdictional questionnaires in the context of aircraft transactions, including leases, mortgages and securitisations.
Contract for Manufacture of Military Cargo Aircraft
We represented a joint venture of two international manufacturers of defence supplies in their entry into and performance of a contract for the manufacture and supply of military cargo aircraft for the Hellenic Airforce, following their successful participation in a public tender.
Hellenic Republic Sale of Aircraft
Bernitsas Law advised the Hellenic Republic on the sale of commercial aircraft.
Acquisitions and Ownership Transfers
We represented the purchasers in the acquisition of aircraft leased to private air carriers and the registration of the ownership transfer with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Claim against Technical Services Provider
We advised the lessee of a private aircraft in its claims against a US technical services provider.
