In January 2018, the Aviation Working Group (“AWG”)1 as part of its review of closing opinion practice, released a revised Form of Cape Town Convention Closing Opinion. The aim of the review was to provide further guidance and consistency in the approach legal practitioners adopt in respect of Cape Town and the State of Registry Jurisdiction.
The AWG was founded in 1994, with stated aims of contributing to the development and acceptance of policies and laws that:
facilitate advanced international aviation financing and leasing, and
The process of repossession will involve complex issues of fact and law. Each one is different depending upon the jurisdiction involved, the approach of the operator and the attitude of the relevant authorities.
Information and planning
Australia has signed on to a new framework that will standardise aircraft financing transactions the world over. It’s positive news for those in Australia’s aviation industry and should lead to cheaper and easier financing of aircraft. However, in exchange, the industry may have to forego some of the benefits of Australia’s current debtor-friendly voluntary administration regime.
It also means any contracts for the purchase, operation or lease of aircraft or engines that extend beyond 2014 should be reviewed before the law changes.
Introduction
Background
The past couple of years have seen a number of major airlines collapse, including Monarch and Air Berlin. Unfortunately, this year has already seen the number of casualties pile up with the likes of WOW Air, FlyBMI, Primera Air and Jet Airways all ceasing operations. With Thomas Cook – the UK’s oldest travel operator – the latest in jeopardy, we look at Lexology’s recent articles in an attempt to analyse this trend and explore the legislation being introduced to support the aviation industry.
Need some AIR – can airlines operate when insolvent?
Executive Summary
The Irish High Court currently has exclusive jurisdiction to make orders against the Registrar (as defined below) pursuant to the Convention and the Protocol (both as defined below).
The recent judgment of Mr Justice McDonald in Unicredit Global Leasing Export Gmbh v Business Aviation Limited and Aviareto Limited1 is a welcome reminder that the Irish Courts will not tolerate misleading registrations on the International Registry for International Interests in Mobile Equipment (the "Registry").
On 23 April 2018, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to determine whether the 900 million euro loan granted to the airline Alitaliacomplies with European Union rules for aid to companies in difficulty.
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, Germany’s plans to grant Air Berlin a temporary €150 million bridging loan. The measure will allow for the orderly winding-down of the insolvent airline without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
La Commissione europea ha approvato, in base alle regole comunitarie in materia di aiuti di Stato, il piano della Germania per concedere ad Air Berlin un prestito temporaneo di 150 milioni di euro. La misura permetterà una ristrutturazione ordinata della compagnia aerea insolvente senza distorcere indebitamente la concorrenza nel mercato unico.