Aviation: Finance
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Asia-Pacific Region
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+65 6532 5335About
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
With one of the largest aviation-focused teams of any law firm based in Singapore, WFW Asia is one of the ‘go-to’ practices for sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional aviation finance matters across the Asia-Pacific region.
Our full spectrum aviation finance and leasing practice advises across a wide range of aviation assets, including commercial aircraft, helicopters, and corporate/private jets. The team is at the forefront of developing innovative financial structures worldwide, acting for financiers and owners/operators alike.
Worldwide, the firm has over 30 expert lawyers advising on aviation finance matters in London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, New York and Dubai, as well as in Asia.
Chambers Review
Watson Farley & Williams fields an assets and structured finance offering that is active advising on aviation matters spanning various jurisdictions, including South Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore and the PRC. It is frequently sought after by corporate and investment banks as well as leasing companies for an array of financing and leasing transactions, including ECA-backed financings. It demonstrates ability assisting with JOLCO financings. It is noted for its deft handling of restructuring matters, with expertise advising on aircraft repossession.
Work Highlights
- Watson Farley & Williams advised Crédit Agricole and The Korea Development Bank on the EUR112 million insurance-backed and sustainability-linked JOLCO financing of an Airbus A350-900 aircraft on lease to Air France.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Their expertise in aviation and the asset finance area is great and they have a very strong team globally. It is a high-tier firm in the aviation leasing business."
"The firm has capability in multiple jurisdictions with ample resource availability. They have provided an excellent service to date, with a good sense of our commercial objectives and imperatives."
"Their expertise in aviation and the asset finance area is great and they have a very strong team globally. It is a high-tier firm in the aviation leasing business."
"The firm has capability in multiple jurisdictions with ample resource availability. They have provided an excellent service to date, with a good sense of our commercial objectives and imperatives."
Notable Practitioners
Jackson Chow rises in the rankings after receiving compliments from market sources. He has a busy aviation finance practice, offering expert advice on airline restructurings and tax leases as part of his broad aviation finance practice.
"Jackson Chow is excellent in terms of his experience in the aviation business. He has been in the industry many years."
"Jackson Chow is very experienced."
Charles Viggers is global co-head of aviation at Watson Farley & Williams. He is respected for his experience advising lenders on financing and restructurings, and is noted for his knowledge regarding JOLCO transactions.
Richard Williams is a trusted counsel to a number of prominent banks and leasing companies across a variety of aircraft financing and leasing matters.
"Richard provides excellent service to our business. He understands our business and the risks we are seeking to mitigate for ourselves and our clients."
"Richard understands our business and what matters. We have a good working relationship."
Simon Collins is based in Watson Farley & Williams' Tokyo office and possesses significant experience advising on cross-border aviation financings. With experience of working in Hong Kong, Singapore and London, he offers clients the benefit of his international experience on asset finance deals.
"Simon is a veteran in the JOLCO market. He has rich experience and excellent connections. Simon is able to provide the most prompt and reasonable advice and has remarkable commercial sense."
Ranked Lawyers at
Watson Farley & Williams
Asia-Pacific Region
Members
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Clients
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Asia Aviation Capital
BNP Paribas
CIT Aerospace
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
DVB Bank SE
European ECAs
NTTF
Natixis
Philippines Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Industries
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Aviation