a plane sitting on top of a beach

Aviation

From corporate commercial to litigation and union-related issues, it’s key to have a specialized legal team who can help aviation industry players address their most important issues and provide pragmatic advice. 

We have the strongest multidisciplinary aviation practice in Canada. We keep an eye on issues affecting the industry, including consolidation, environmental concerns, pressures from competitors, and new and disruptive technologies.

We can assist with:

  • financing and leasing aircraft and aircraft engines
  • sales and leaseback 
  • aviation insurance
  • airline bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring proceedings
  • litigation
  • dispute resolution
  • regulatory matters
  • managing relationships with Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency
  • privacy
  • cyber and data security

We advocate for our clients in courtrooms, tribunals, boardrooms and at the negotiation table. Our clients include:

  • general aviation operators
  • airlines
  • commercial air services
  • airports
  • aviation insurers
  • OEMs
We work with colleagues in specialized areas to anticipate your needs and ensure comprehensive, cost-effective services.

Experience

  • Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corp.:
    • In its repayable loan of up to $100 million to Sunwing, under the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF), to enable Sunwing to provide refunds to eligible Sunwing customers.​
    • In its $375 million loan to Sunwing Vacations Inc. and Sunwing Airlines Inc. under the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility to protect Canadian jobs.
    • In its $700 million loan to Transat A.T. Inc. under the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility.
  • Defend clients in actions involving allegations of pilot error, manufacturing and/or fabrication defects, design errors and maintenance
  • Provide insurance coverage advice on aviation policies.
  • Provide defence advice for aviation directors & officers (D&O) claims.
  • Defend cross-border class actions regarding the fixing of cargo and passenger surcharges.
  • Defend class actions against airports related to noise and pollution.
  • Advise aviation clients on subrogated hull and property actions.
  • Defend complex cross-border fatality aviation claims.
  • Provide regulatory and transactional advice for aviation brokerage firms on compliance with provincial legislation specific to aviation travel and tourism, as well as corporate reorganization.
  • Assist air operators with regulatory advice and applications for judicial review to the Federal Court on issues addressing the link between privacy rights and the Access to Information Act.
  • Advise clients on Transport Canada’s rules for drone/unmanned aerial vehicle/remotely piloted aircraft system operations.
  • Advise and act for clients in synthetic aircraft lease deals.
  • Advise and represent air carriers in customer disputes before the Canadian Transportation Agency.
  • Assist with the sale and purchase of Canadian air operators and maintenance organizations.

Key Contacts

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