Aviation & Asset Finance

Our Aviation and Asset Finance Group offers comprehensive Irish law services to all participants in the aviation and asset finance sectors, addressing all aspects of their business needs. Our reputation is based on proven professional skills, a thorough understanding of client requirements, sound judgment and a practical approach to resolving commercial issues efficiently.

AVIATION LEASING

Our Aviation and Asset Finance Group advises on a broad range of matters pertaining to the aviation sector. We have extensive experience setting up leasing platforms in Ireland and acting as Irish legal and tax advisors to Irish lessors and lessees. We advise on all areas of the industry, including on domestic and cross border leasing transactions, aviation insurance, contractual and corporate issues, and joint ventures.

ASSET FINANCE

Arthur Cox has a proven track record of representing lenders, borrowers, lessors, and other participants in all manner of aircraft, helicopter, aircraft engine and other parts financings. Our expertise spans club, bilateral and syndicated financings, both domestically and internationally, involving individuals, corporates, regulated funds, and partnerships. We also have significant experience in structured finance products tailored to asset financing and leasing transactions. We are well versed in transactions involving the taking of aircraft collateral across various jurisdictions, registrations, including in the Cape Town International Registry, purchasing, and transferring aircraft and related collateral. Additionally, we provide comprehensive advice on the full range of aviation, maritime, equipment and rolling stock financings.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Key highlights include advising:

Avilease on the acquisition of Standard Chartered’s global aviation leasing business and its $1.1 billion unsecured facility with a syndicate of lenders arranged by Citibank

Apollo Global Management on the provision of a $700 million debtor-in-possession facility to SAS – Scandinavian Airlines as part of the airline’s Chapter 11 restructuring

Aviator Capital (US) on its Irish aviation platform and its ongoing Irish aircraft leasing transactions including portfolio acquisitions from Aercap and SMBC

The largest group of creditors to Nordic Aviation Capital group on US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process and the provision of a debtor-in-possession facility

Arena Aviation Capital on the establishment of its $1.5 billion aircraft leasing joint venture with Kennedy Lewis

PK Airfinance on its facilities to Nordic Aviation Capital

Ryanair plc on its €750 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of 13 banks

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) on various sale and lease novation and sale and leaseback transactions and related financings

The steering committee of secured creditors in the Chapter 11 of Waypoint Group in the helicopter leasing sector

Deutsche Lufthansa on its €3 billion state-guaranteed loan from state bank KFW and a syndicate of other private banks

"The team is made up of thoroughly knowledgeable lawyers who provide hands-on, practical advice to help reach solutions."

Chambers Europe, 2025

"They are a truly outstanding team who provide us with best in class service. Their bespoke tailored service is highly appreciated and having someone at the other end of the phone who is available and capable really allows us to concentrate on our core business."

Legal 500, 2025