Aviation

We provide strategic legal advice to airlines, lessors, financiers, and operators on aircraft procurement, financing, leasing, and regulatory matters, helping them navigate a complex and evolving aviation industry.
Key Contact
Michael Ian
Airplane propellor

Overview

The aircraft procurement, leasing, financing and management sector is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. Both the aircraft leasing and aircraft financing industries have significantly evolved in the past 30+ years with manufacturers, financiers, aircraft lessors, airlines and private operators constantly looking for different sources of funding and alternate finance arrangements. As the economy shifts from strong cycles to weaker cycles (and vice-versa), these aircraft industry players are in continuous discussions to find innovative, yet fiscally responsible, leasing and financing methods.

Bennett Jones' experience in aviation law is unparalleled in Canada. Our strength lies in advising clients with an understanding of their short, medium and long term business goals. We provide practical business law advice, focused on our clients' needs. We enjoy growing with our clients, through building and enhancing relationships based on trust and understanding.

We can offer strategic insight and clear counsel on issues such as asset (whether aircraft or otherwise) procurement, finance and leasing, structured finance and securitizations, airport infrastructure, general banking and finance, taxation, securities, regulatory compliance including foreign ownership restrictions and insolvency matters.

,,Bennett Jones LLP has a specialist aviation practice, which is sought after by major airlines and aircraft operators to advise on the full suite of financing, leasing, acquisition and regulatory matters.,,

What Clients Say

Areas of Support

Bennett Jones is one of only two Canadian law firms recognized in Band 1 for Transportation: Aviation by Chambers and Partners ranking of Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business.

Asset/Equipment Finance & Leasing

Aircraft Procurement and Management

Aircraft Maintenance Arrangements

Taxation

Aviation Incidents & Litigation

Foreign Ownership Restrictions and Other Regulatory Matters

Repossession, Restructuring & Insolvency

Airport Infrastructure

Client Work

Flair Airlines

in connection with the change of aircraft owners and the negotiations of lease novation & amendment agreements

Flair Airlines

in the establishment of an aircraft engine lease facility with FTAI Aviation

Flair Airlines

with respect to the highly publicized overnight seizure of four of its aircraft in March 2023

Flair Airlines

in connection with all aspects of their existing Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft leases

Flair Airlines

in connection with the implementation and ongoing administration of its passenger tariffs for Flair’s domestic and international operations

Jazz Aviation

in the securitization of its fleet of Dash 8-100 and Dash 8-300 aircraft and support of financing by its parent, Chorus Aviatio

Jazz Aviation

in the financing and leasing of 34 Q400 aircraft and 5 spare engines

Jazz Aviation

in the financing of 5 CRJ900 aircraft with Export Development Canada

Chorus Aviation

in aircraft-backed loan and security package by the Bank of Nova Scotia

Chorus Aviation

in the financing with Export Development Canada and lease to Air Nostrum of 4 CRJ1000 aircraft

Chorus Aviation

in the acquisition of 6 ATR-72 Aircraft currently on lease to Virgin Australia Airlines Pty and Flybe 

Chorus Aviation

in the acquisition of 3 Q400 Aircraft financed with Export Development Canada and on lease to Falcon Aviation Services and the subsequent sale of such Aircraft to the operator, thereof

Chorus Aviation

in the acquisition of 4 ERJ190 Aircraft currently on lease to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., KLM Cityhopper B.V. and Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V

Chorus Aviation

in the acquisition of 2 Q400 Aircraft from Bombardier and leases to Ethiopian Airlines Group

Chorus Aviation

in connection with a credit facility secured by inter alia, various aircraft spare parts, equipment and related assets

North Bay Leasing (now Voyageur Aviation)

in its financing with Export Development Canada and leasing of 8 aircraft

Air Canada

in the multiple financings, leases, subleases and refinancings of a variety of aircraft

Air Canada

in the Ex-Im Bank financing of 16 Boeing 777 aircraft

Air Canada

in the PDP financings with respect to progress payments for aircraft subject to purchase agreements

Air Canada

in restructuring and amending the leases and financings for its entire fleet of aircraft

MILIT-AIR

in a $700-million private placement of debt securities in Canada and the United States to finance the acquisition of the assets of the NATO Flying Training Program
Various corporations and individuals, in the leasing and/or financing of corporate jet aircraft

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

in the financing of corporate jet aircraft

General Bank of Canada

in the financing of numerous corporate and personal aircraft

Alberta Treasury Branches

in the financing of leases of various Twin Otter aircraft

ATB Financial

in connection with a credit facility secured by aircraft assets for Avmax

ATB Financial

in connection with a credit facility secured by aircraft assets for Canadian Helicopters

Air North

in the financing and leasing of various aircraft

STARS

in the financing of 3 Airbus BK117 D helicopters with ATB Financial

Recognitions

Chambers Canada

Transportation: Aviation

Legal 500 Canada

Aviation

At the centre of market-shaping deals and high-stakes disputes, Bennett Jones delivers clarity, strategy and results. Our cross-border teams turn complexity into progress, always focused on what drives your success.

The Bennett Jones Story

At Bennett Jones, legal solutions are our starting point. What drives us forward is knowing our clients inside and out—their ambitions, obstacles and success metrics.

For more than a century, we have shaped outcomes that matter in business, in law and in the broader Canadian landscape. And our commitment extends beyond legal matters: we invest deeply in the communities in which we live and work.