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Air

Today's challenges

As a result of the economic downturn the aviation sector has encountered changes in consumer demand with market liberalisation continuing to be a trend amongst the major players. The sector is benefiting from general mobility changes and consumer growth in emerging markets, whilst at the same time low cost models around the world are continuing to affect full-service carriers in their traditional markets.

Airlines must continue to deal with the ever present terrorist threat and the need to implement effective security systems, the rising cost of fuel, slot restrictions and general credit issues. Airports in many developed countries are dealing with the challenge of regulation, restrictions on expansion and concerns about noise, growth and their ability to restrict windfarm developments. In contrast airports in developing areas, supported by local governments, are looking to expand to secure local economic growth. All airports face the need to maximise returns on investment and to deal with the challenges of global security threats. The sector continues to be considered to be a contributor to climate change and airlines face direct issues regarding carbon emissions and offsetting.

How we can help

In this complex sector, Eversheds offers clients a distinctive level of service. Experts in their field, our forward thinking lawyers are passionate about the aviation industry and entirely focused on delivering for their clients. Our network of offices mean that we can offer you advice when and where you need it, providing local knowledge on an international scale. Key areas of our aviation expertise and experience include:

Airports

• development including planning, construction and real estate issues
• airport acquisitions and disposals including financing
• regulation including licensing, permissions and price controls
• state aid and anti trust issues including application of relevant regulatory guidelines and market support for airlines
• health and safety and environmental advice
• employment and pensions advice
• day to day trading issues including concessions, groundhandling, commercial contracts and dispute resolution

Airlines & aircraft

• airline acquisition and disposals, including flotations and merger control
• airline expansion including base establishment involving employment and pensions, real estate, funding and state aid and commercial contracting issues
• ATOL and other licensing
• codesharing agreements
• maintenance repair and overhaul arrangements and ground handling
• health and safety and environmental and other regulatory issues
• employment and labour issues including collective issues
• anti trust issues including pricing challenges
• passenger consumer issues
• ticketing sales arrangements
• aircraft finance
• private purchase and lease agreements, including financing arrangements