Area of focus

Aviation Litigation

Our global aviation litigation practice has deep experience resolving high-profile aviation-related disputes in and out of court. We serve clients throughout the world, including airlines, lessors, suppliers, servicers, and manufacturers of aircraft.

In the global, highly-regulated aviation industry, Hogan Lovells has a market-leading aviation litigation practice, offering a comprehensive array of disputes, regulatory, transactional, policy, and strategic capabilities informed by experience both in the aviation sector and in relevant government agencies.

Our aviation litigation practice serves clients across the world, including airlines, lessors, suppliers, servicers, and manufacturers of aircraft.

Our clients benefit from our lawyers’ experience in public service, which includes positions as Chief Counsel of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, Special Counsel to the Administrator of the FAA, Special Assistant to a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, and Executive Assistant to the Chair of the Civil Aeronautics Board. Our clients also benefit from our close relationships with key leaders, policymakers, and agency staff at aviation-related agencies in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. Our global aviation practice enables us to achieve our clients’ goals efficiently and effectively.

We advise on issues covering every segment of the industry, and provide innovative legal strategies for your toughest challenges and disputes. Our experience, track record, and understanding of the aviation business make us well-positioned to advise clients. Working closely with our Regulatory and Government Relations colleagues, we provide a one-stop shop to defend clients in aviation litigation, and advise on the varied issues in aviation litigation that may emerge when interacting with business partners, consumers, Congress, regulators, and others.

Representative experience

Advised a major Scandinavian airline in the first airline lawsuit to be filed against Boeing stemming from the grounding of the 737 MAX, for damages in excess of US$1billion.

Won a jury verdict for a manufacturer in the aviation industry against a claimant in a nearly US$400m dispute over the dissolution of a joint venture to develop mission extension vehicles.

Advised various airlines and lessors with over $50 billion in MAX orders in claims against Boeing for losses incurred due to the grounding of the 737 MAX.

Advised an aircraft leasing company on claims against engine equipment manufacturers arising from damage to aircraft engines.

Represented two low cost international airlines in relation to class action lawsuits and complaints filed with the DOT over COVID-19 flight cancellations and refund issues.

Represented a public aerospace company in a series of shareholder lawsuits challenging a multibillion-dollar merger.

Advised an aircraft engine manufacturer in defense of claims asserted by an aircraft manufacturer regarding an Engine Purchase Contract.

Advised an aircraft lessor in relation to the successful settlement of a maintenance reserve dispute with a Southeast Asian airline.

Advised a purchaser of several passenger aircraft in Commercial Court proceedings against a national airline in a dispute relating to the satisfaction of delivery conditions.

Representing a global leading aerospace company in an ICC arbitration against one of its suppliers regarding the early termination of a supply contract.

Advised an aircraft manufacturer in litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to the recovery of pre-delivery payments on cancelled aircraft orders.

Advising a U.S. aircraft manufacturer in litigation and arbitration proceedings involving a major helicopter contract with an EMEA government entity.

Advised a lessor in arbitration against an Indian airline under the UNCITRAL rules in London, administered by the LCIA.

Represented an African aviation company in a claim brought against it by the owners of the aircraft it was operating related to the hiring and repair of its air fleet.

Represented an insurance company in Singapore concerning a dispute with an aircraft maintenance company. The high-value dispute is related to damages sustained to a civilian wide-body aircraft.

Assisted an engine supplier in an ICC arbitration against a foreign client regarding the non-performance of an Engine Maintenance and Services Agreement and the supply of aircraft engines.

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