Aviation: Finance
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Asia-Pacific Region
Band 1
Contact number
+852 2825 8888Chambers Review
Clifford Chance remains an undisputed leading aviation finance firm in the Asia-Pacific market, with expertise housed in the Singapore and Hong Kong offices. It has significant experience in advising on cross-border matters involving jurisdictions such as Japan, the PRC, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Russia. It attracts frequent instructions from lessors, airlines and financiers on big-ticket transactions. The firm offers high-level capability in matters from portfolio disposal and lease restructuring to airline insolvency-related issues and joint venture matters. In addition, the team is well placed to advise on other financing devices such as JOLCOs, asset-based securitisations and bond issuances. It is also particularly active advising on M&A and asset acquisitions for a wide variety of startup aviation leasing companies across the region.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance advised SMBC Aviation Capital on a range of operating leases of Boeing and Airbus aircraft to domestic and regional airlines.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Clifford Chance team are fantastic. They're very knowledgeable and responsive and able to handle complicated and unique transactions."
"Clifford Chance are very supportive in providing creative and proven solutions to the client."
"The Clifford Chance team are fantastic. They're very knowledgeable and responsive and able to handle complicated and unique transactions."
"Clifford Chance are very supportive in providing creative and proven solutions to the client."
Notable Practitioners
Fergus Evans is a well-known aviation practitioner with deep expertise in transactions in the region. He advises multiple banks and leasing services on aircraft financings and leasing work, as well as airline restructurings.
"Fergus is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced aviation lawyers in the region. He's fast, commercial, available: a star!"
"He is professional, polished, deeply experienced and a pleasure to work with. He's top shelf."
Paul Greenwell is a leading lawyer who is highly recognised in the aviation space, particularly for his knowledge of complex sale and leaseback transactions. He has notable experience handling Asia-Pacific-wide deals, with specific expertise in the China and Japan markets.
"Paul is incredibly knowledgeable and has good commercial awareness."
"Paul is a good operator and very sharp. It's good to have him on the team."