The ‘outstanding aviation legal practice‘ at Bournonville Grigorieff has ‘a robust reputation for handling high-profile cases‘. The team supports major international carriers, cargo and logistics companies, and insurers in the sector with the full spectrum of regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters. Dimitri de Bournonville ‘remains one of the uncontested leaders in the sector’, an aviation specialist with expertise spanning the general transportation, logistics, and supply chain sectors. Dries Deschuttere is a go-to team member for airline clients, additionally noted for his expertise regarding drone projects and their regulation, while Guillaume Mockel handles corporate acquisitions and passenger claims. The team works with its ‘worldwide network’, including colleagues in London.

The aviation practice at HFW is a ‘number one contact point’ for clients seeking advice regarding finance and leases, commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, and insurance litigation. It works closely with the firm’s French team, and has growing environmental expertise. The team’s ‘exceptionally knowledgeable‘ head Pierre Frühling works across Brussels and Paris, often acting on high-profile litigation for airline clients and their insurers, along with international regulatory matters and large-scale transactions: he is experienced in assisting airlines with restructurings, including State aid issues. For environmental matters, including carbon offset schemes, Alix d’Arjuzon is a go-to.

DLA Piper‘s aviation offering sits within its infrastructure, construction, and transport sector group, praised for its ‘strong sectoral knowledge‘. It advises hi-tech companies in both the aerospace and maintenance repair and overhaul sectors, with increasing expertise in the military sector. Bob Martens, co-head of the practice group, is a go-to for private-public partnerships, and co-head Ilse Van de Mierop pairs restructuring and aviation experience, supporting large scale airline clients. Charles Dumont De Chassart ‘co-builds innovative and creative solutions‘ with clients, with a practice focused on the aeronautic sector.

‘A top firm in the area of aviation law’, Erkelens Law has wide ranging experience in the sector, handling complex, technical regulatory matters and large-scale litigation. Its experience of growing concerns, such as environmental issues and airport charges, is a particular highlight. Such environmental issues are an area of expertise for practice head Catherine Erkelens, who also handles matters in the airport ground-handling sector. Philippe Carous has notable expertise regarding drones and counter-drones, as well as technical knowledge in airport obstacle management.

AdaStone Law‘s ‘expertise in the aviation sector is unique’, with experience across financing, insurance litigation, regulatory matters, state aid, and data protection. Founder Stéphanie Golinvaux supports airlines, insurers, lessors, brokers, and airports with a full range of matters in the sector, with particular experience in transactional work surrounding agreements between airlines, such as joint ventures and concentrations. Lucile Sengier focuses on complex litigation and commercial transactions.

CMS‘s aviation offering sits within its antitrust, competition, and trade practice, boasting wide expertise in air transport and airports, and often advising private aircraft manufacturers, airport managers, ground-handlers, and airports. Its work is often international, regularly advising on European airport regulation. ‘Experienced, knowledgeable’ team head Annabelle Lepièce has longstanding experience acting for public authorities, and specific expertise in regards to ground-handling services. Gaël Chuffart is a key contact for employment matters in the aviation sector.

The air transport team at K&L Gates GP provides regulatory support across international and European legislation, including air, ground-handling and airport matters, and air passengers’ issues. It regularly advises on ESG and sustainability developments in the sector, with experience advising energy and transport clients. Team head Mélanie Bruneau combines EU and French competition law practice with strong sector expertise in transport and logistics.