Hughes Hubbard has extensive experience in representing commercial airlines and other participants in the aviation industry. We have actively represented some of the world’s major airlines -- including Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Eastern Airlines and Trans World Airlines -- and have worked on transactions involving leading foreign air carriers, including Aeromexico, Mexicana, Korean Airlines and Thai Airlines. In addition, we have represented banks, leasing companies, investment banks and other financial institutions in a variety of aviation matters. Our areas of expertise include:
Aviation Equipment and Facilities. We have represented clients in transactions involving the financing of billions of dollars worth of commercial aircraft and aircraft equipment. These transactions have involved a variety of structures, including leveraged leases, operating leases, cross-border transactions, sale-leasebacks, conditional sales, secured debt, commercial paper conduits, enhanced pass through certificates and export credit-agency supported loans. We have also been actively involved in all aspects of acquisitions, dispositions and financing of airport facilities, including terminals, gates, slots, maintenance facilities, hangar space, counter space and airline passenger clubs.
Mergers, Joint Ventures and Capital Markets Matters. We have represented clients in numerous acquisitions of airlines, including major air carriers and regional carriers. We have also structured joint ventures involving aviation businesses, including reservations businesses and Internet ventures, and worked on a variety of airline alliance agreements, including code-share agreements and joint marketing arrangements. In addition, we have participated in a variety of aviation-related capital markets transactions, including public offerings, Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings and private placements of common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, debt and pass through certificates.
Regulatory Matters. The firm has been involved in establishing airline companies in the United States and in a broad range of ongoing aviation regulatory matters. Our lawyers have represented air carriers before the Department of Transportation in connection with airline acquisitions, comparative route selection procedures, international route transfers, issues relating to computer reservation systems, questions of foreign ownership of U.S. carriers and various rule-making matters. We have also handled aviation safety and air carrier fitness issues before the DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Workouts and Bankruptcies. We are experienced in matters relating to workouts and the exercise of remedies with respect to various types of aircraft held as collateral, ranging from helicopters to Boeing 747s. We have also been actively involved in over ten airline bankruptcy cases, representing the airline, airline creditors or the trustee.
Litigation. Our lawyers are skilled in matters relating to litigation involving air carriers, including antitrust claims, securities actions, personal injury matters and disputes under aircraft financing transactions.
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