Aviation: Finance | Asia-Pacific

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.

Baker McKenzie fields a highly regarded finance team which possesses a depth of expertise in the Hong Kong and Mainland China markets, with additional support available across its extensive network of regional offices. It is widely recognised for advising leading PRC lessors, airlines and lenders on the full spectrum of high-value financings and leasings. The team is skilled in handling matters related to both commercial and private aircraft. It handles mandates related to Thailand, Singapore, China and Japan. It is also active on aircraft refinancing and restructuring mandates.

The vibrant aviation team at Mayer Brown has a highly regarded Hong Kong practice acting on a broad range of aviation transactions in the commercial and business jet areas in the wider Asia market. It remains a popular choice of counsel for leading airlines, leasing companies and banks on high-profile transactions. Its expertise encompasses sale and leaseback, financing, aircraft trade and dispute resolution. It is active on cross-border acquisitions and financings, and is highly skilled at managing transactions involving significant cross-border elements, with particular reference to Fiji, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China.

The aviation finance expertise is housed in Stephenson Harwood's Singapore and Hong Kong offices, which advise clients across the region including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, Korea and India. It maintains notable expertise in advising low-cost carriers, lessors and financiers on a range of commercial and business aircraft trading transactions. It is frequently mandated by Chinese lessor and airline clients to act on financings, sale and leasebacks and capital market transactions. Stephenson Harwood is also experienced in handling portfolio and airline acquisitions and refinancings, as well as repossession matters. It is well placed to advise on private jet and helicopter financings, with solid expertise managing commercial debt financings. It is also adept at handling repossession and leasing cases.

Watson Farley & Williams fields an assets and structured finance offering that is active advising on aviation matters spanning various jurisdictions, including South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and the PRC. It is frequently sought after by corporate and investment banks as well as leasing companies on 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.

A&O Shearman acts from its Beijing and Shanghai offices on complex aviation transactions across the Asia-Pacific region. It is regularly mandated by clients from Mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as from Singapore, Japan and Thailand. The team works with various banks, financiers, lessors and airlines. It has a good track record in a broad range of financing facilities, such as ECA-supported financings, bridge financings and operating leases. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius houses an established team offering expertise across a range of areas, including aircraft portfolio transactions, lease restructuring, and sale-and-leaseback transactions. It is frequently mandated by airlines to advise on structured finance matters, including JOL and JOLCO financings and asset-backed securitisation.

Reed Smith houses a Singapore-based aviation finance practice that is well placed to handle cross-border mandates with an APAC focus. The team frequently assists leasing companies on leasing matters, including aircraft placements, restructurings and sale-and-leaseback transactions. Reed Smith is also highlighted for its capacity to assist with JOLCO refinancings. It counts Air Asia, Juniper Aviation Investments and Avolon Aerospace Leasing among its clientele.

Bird & Bird's established International Aviation Sector Group, housed in its Singapore office, advises clients across the Asia-Pacific, often handling matters involving Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Japan and Australia. It is frequently mandated by airlines to act on operating and finance leasings. It demonstrates ability advising on aircraft sale and purchase transactions, and is also adept at handling sale-and-leaseback matters. Its clientele includes the AirAsia Group, Turkish Airlines and ICBC Leasing.

K&L Gates's aviation finance group demonstrates strength by advising on aircraft financing and leasing transactions in the Asia-Pacific region. Resources are available across various offices, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, with particular strength in Tokyo. The team has an established presence in cross-border aircraft portfolio acquisition and financing deals. The team is notable for acting for lessors, airlines and banks, with a focus on Japanese clients. K&L Gates is further noted for its experience in JOLCO structures and for asset-backed securitisation matters. Its restructuring expertise complements the firm's aviation finance team and bolsters its cross-border capabilities.

Milbank possesses a solid aviation practice which is based in Singapore and active across the region, handling matters involving Japan, Malaysia, China and Korea. It has a good track record in representing lessors and financiers, and particularly regarded for working with low-cost carriers, such as AirAsia and Cebu Pacific. It is also active advising Chinese lessors and airlines on acquisition, financing and leasing transactions. Milbank is experienced in advising private investment firms in the aviation sphere.

Nishimura & Asahi's asset finance team is recognised for its strengths in handling mandates involving the Japanese market. It is supported by its Bangkok and Tokyo offices and assists Japanese and international airlines, leasing companies and financial institutions on a range of regional matters. The team demonstrates strong capabilities in handling JOL and JOLCO transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a Singapore-based aviation finance practice that offers expertise in handling cross-border deals involving Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. It works closely with its Australia office, and the regional presence is bolstered by its strong asset finance practice in Japan. It remains a trusted adviser for financiers, lessors and airlines. The team is frequently mandated on sale and purchase transactions, financings and aircraft leasings.