Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Aviation in Belgium

HFW

At HFW, the aviation practice spans the four main areas finance and leasing, commercial, regulatory as well as insurance and claims. Constituting a popular choice for airlines and insurers, the group fields strong ties to the French market, in part due to practice head Pierre Frühling splitting his time between the firm’s Brussels and Paris offices. Alix d’Arjuzon, who was promoted to counsel in April 2023, is noted for her focus on environmental matters alongside capabilities relating to commercial and regulatory issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pierre Frühling


Autres avocats clés:

Alix d’Arjuzon


Les références

‘In our experience, for legal services people and collaboration makes difference and HFW Belgium is excellent in that respect. Of course, competence and up-to-date knowledge are also excellent.’

‘Pierre Frühling is great lawyer, very competent, total aviation person. But most of all, Pierre has a great personality, always ready to find solutions and willing to help. He will always put the client relationship first.’

‘Excellent results.’

Principaux clients

Aeromexico


Air Arabia


Air Canada


Air Corsica


Allianz AGCS


All Nippon Airways


AXA XL


Azul


Brussels Airlines


Cargolux


Cathay Pacific


CMA CGM


Croatia Airlines


Delta Air Lines


Delvag


El Al


Global Aerospace


Hi Fly


Jung Skies Croatia


KLM Royal Dutch Airlines


Korean Air


La Réunion Aérienne


Liege Airport


Luxaviation – Abelag


Pegasus


Latam


Saudia


Swissport


Vietnam Airlines


Wizz Air


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Liege Airport in several regulatory and contentious matters.
  • Advised Delta Air Lines on several Belgian regulatory issues, including new Belgian tax schemes and noise issues.
  • Represented Brussels Airlines and its insurer Allianz in several passenger claims.

Kennedys

Hailed as an ‘outstanding aviation practice’, Kennedys remains a market-leading outfit in this space with a practice that covers the full gamut of aviation matters, including finance and leasing as well as disputes and damage claims. The firm counts a host of high-profile domestic and international companies in addition to government institutions amongst its client roster and acts for airlines, cargo companies, lessors, and insurers alike. Dimitri de Bournonville, who is particularly experienced in regulatory matters as well as aviation finance, purchase and leasing, heads the Brussels-based team. On associate level, the ‘bright and upcoming’ Dries Deschuttere is a key name to note alongside Guillaume Mockel, with the latter joining in January 2023 from AdaStone Law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dimitri de Bournonville


Autres avocats clés:

Dries Deschuttere; Guillaume Mockel


Les références

‘The firm has a lot of experience working with airlines.’

‘Dimitri de Bournonville acquired experience in-house before opening the practice and understands the needs of airlines.’

‘We feel the team is really unique in the Benelux market: its combines an excellent transactional and regulatory expertise with an outstanding litigation practice. The team is multilingual and able to intervene before all courts and at all levels of the administrations to serve the needs of its clients. It is very well connected, which enables its clients to receive quick and pragmatic support.’

Principaux clients

Ace Belgian Freighters


AIG


Air Belgium


Air Transport Services Group


ASL Airlines Belgium


ASL Aviation Group


Aviabel (Axis)


Aviapartner


The Belgian Government


CAL Cargo Airlines


Challenge Airlines Group


Charles Taylor Adjusting


Delvag


Emirates


Etihad Airways


Etihad Cargo


FedEx / TNT Express


Finnair


Global Aerospace


LOT Polish Airlines


Luxair


Macquarie Air Finance


Macquarie Rotorcraft


Norddeutsche Landesbank


Norse Atlantic Airways


Orix Aviation


Ryanair


Skytanking


Swiss International Airlines


Swissport Cargo Services


The Aviation Factory


Vueling


Principaux dossiers


  • Appointed by the Belgian Government to assist the cabinet of the Minister of Transport and the Federal Administration of Mobility in relation to the renegotiation of the management contract between the Belgian State and Skeyes.
  • Advised ASL Aviation Group on the third refinancing of its operations and fleet of aircraft by Goldman Sachs, including handling the security aspects, drafting and registration of aircraft and other assets pledge agreements and the issuing of the required legal opinions.
  • Assisted the Luxembourg State owned airline Luxair in relation to the purchase and leasing of a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft in the context of its new fleet development strategy.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper stands out for its widespread expertise in the aviation sector, with a particular strength in relation to EU-regulatory matters. The practice is also well versed in advising clients hailing from the high-tech aerospace industry as well as work relating to airports. Bob Martens specialises in public law and jointly leads the team with restructuring partner Ilse Van de Mierop; both are active on non-contentious and dispute matters in this space. Charles Dumont De Chassart fields a broad aviation practice which includes corporate and restructuring work as well as litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bob Martens; Ilse Van de Mierop


Autres avocats clés:

Charles Dumont De Chassart


Principaux clients

Sabena Aerospace Engineering SA


SABCA SA


Orizio SA


Sabena Engineering Brussels SA


skeyes


Maintenance Aero Maroc SA


Flying Group Lux SA


Sabena SA


NV Aviapartner Holding


NV Aviapartner Belgium


Emirates Airlines


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Sabena Engineering Brussels in relation to its acquisition of a 70% stake in Aircamo Aviation Ltd and Aircamo Engines Ltd.
  • Acted for SABCA SA and SABCA Limburg in the development of key agreements (between the three industrial partners involved in the project) for the production of certain components of the new F-35 fighter jet.
  • Represented Skeyes, the Belgian air navigation and air traffic service provider, in relation to critical or strategic public procurement procedures and in litigation proceedings.

Erkelens Law

Praised for its ‘outstanding work in the field of aviation’, Erkelens Law provides clients from the aviation sector with advice along a vast spectrum of matters, including regulatory, commercial, and contentious. Business aviation, airports, and environmental issues are further capabilities of the practice headed by Catherine Erkelens, who fields a broad practice covering airport charges and ground handling, amongst others. Philippe Carous complements his expertise in general aviation with niche knowledge concerning the regulation of drones.

Responsables de la pratique:

Catherine Erkelens


Autres avocats clés:

Philippe Carous; Yuri Quina


Les références

‘Very efficient in handling claims filed against airlines, and also on all other legal questions.’

‘Prompt response and clear advice by Philippe Carous.’

‘The team at Erkelens Law performs outstanding work in the field of aviation. Members have very good knowledge of the legal framework in which issues have to be dealt with. Developments in the sector are closely monitored.’

Principaux clients

Air Atlanta Icelandic


Air Atlanta Europe


All Nippon Airways


Air Malta


Amerijet


Deutsche Lufthansa AG


Austrian Airlines


Swiss International Airlines


Helvetic Airways


Lufthansa Cargo AG


Thai Airways


Menzies Aviation


2 FLY


QP Property


Chapman Freeborn


Aviatize


Aerotranscargo


Dark Sky


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Air Atlanta Icelandic and Air Atlanta Europe on their possibilities to obtain traffic rights for routes from the EU to third countries and vice versa, assisting the clients with their requests to and contacts with the authorities in several countries.
  • Represented Air Malta in contentious matters concerning passenger rights in Benelux and in France, and in matters concerning its relationship with tour operators and travel agencies.
  • Advised 2FLY on an aircraft acquisition and assisted with the transaction of the aircraft operating and management contract.

AdaStone Law

With ‘a huge breadth of international knowledge across the sector’, AdaStone Law is well versed in a wide array of aviation work, spanning financing and litigation as much as state aid and data protection. Stéphanie Golinvaux, whose practice includes regulatory, transactional, and liability-related matters, leads the team jointly with Hannah Tacheny, an experienced practitioner with particular expertise in airport regulations alongside competition and commercial law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stéphanie Golinvaux; Hannah Tacheny


Les références

‘The AdaStone team has great experience in aviation related matters. They understand the business needs and are solution orientated.’

‘Stéphanie Golinvaux is a lawyer and partner we can rely on. She has a good sense of what matters and provides well targeted and honest advice. She constantly raises the bar and does not limit herself to answer questions, but goes beyond by truly supporting the business needs.’

‘In-depth knowledge of the aviation sector, sound practical advice on operations, ability to cooperate with other law firms on the same topic. Seamless communication.’

Principaux clients

TUI Airlines Belgium


TUI fly Germany


TUI Belgium


TUI Airways


Cargolux


Amazon Air


World Star Aviation


PK Air Finance


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Amazon Air with respect to the EU ETS/CORSIA trading schemes from an aviation perspective.
  • Advised Cargolux on ground handling activities and licence.
  • Assisted TUI Airlines Belgium on the acquisition of new aircraft.

CMS

CMS continues to have a strong presence in the aviation sector, making it a popular choice for a broad range of clients such as airports, manufacturers, public authorities, and carriers. Sustainability and state aid form as much part of the advisory portfolio as finance and commercial contracts, while the group also benefits from specialist employment law and social security expertise owing to Gaël Chuffart. Noted for her ‘great expertise in state aid’, Annabelle Lepièce heads the practice and also excels in matters relating to ground handling services.

Responsables de la pratique:

Annabelle Lepièce


Autres avocats clés:

Marguerite Soete; Gaël Chuffart


Les références

‘Really satisfied with the approach and results of the team.’

‘Personal and confident relationship with Annabelle Lepièce and high level of work.’

‘Excellent team with great availability.’

Principaux clients

Aéroport de la Rochelle


Lyon Airport


Qatar Airways


Sowaer


Croatian State (Zagreb Airport)


Marseille Airport


Aéroport de Beziers


Aeroports de Catalunya


Aéroport de Rodez


Airbus Defence and Space


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted the Croatian State concerning €14.5m of aid for Zagreb Airport, tied to losses suffered due to the pandemic.
  • Assisted Qatar Airways in their day-to-day employment law issues in Belgium, including providing advice on remuneration and working duration issues, among others.
  • Advised Airbus Defence & Space, within the framework of a major restructuring of the group, on Belgian corporate and tax aspects of the merger of two French group entities, both having a Belgian branch.

K&L Gates GP

K&L Gates GP has an offering that includes particular expertise in matters relating to air ticket distribution, airports, ground handling, and regulatory. The group is headed by Mélanie Bruneau, whose expertise includes regulatory compliance. Philip Torbøl departed the firm in January 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mélanie Bruneau


Principaux clients

World Fuel Services


Amadeus


Multi Service Tolls


KADRANT LAW

KADRANT LAW advises aviation clients on the finance and leasing of aircraft as well as business aviation, regulatory issues, and litigation. Giulia Mauri heads the practice and focuses on transactional matters. Former co-head of the practice Frédérique Jos left for an in-house position in October 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Giulia Mauri