Business Aviation and Helicopter Finance

The Global Transportation Finance team at Vedder enjoys a preeminent worldwide reputation in aviation finance. The team and its individual attorneys have been recognized by numerous publications for their lawyering skills, industry knowledge, practical approach and unparalleled client service. The attorneys on our team represent all participants in business and commercial aviation leasing and finance transactions. Since 2016, Vedder has been ranked Band 1 in Private Aircraft (Global-wide) of Chambers High Net Worth, recognizing the world’s leading high-net-worth advisers.

With one of the largest and most experienced Business Aircraft and Helicopter Finance practices in the world, our team is able to provide counsel in all aspects of business aircraft and helicopter financing transactions, particularly large jet aircraft but also small jets, turboprop aircraft and helicopters. Attorneys in the group are considered to be thought leaders regarding commercial and contract law matters pertaining to aircraft finance and leasing transactions, whether governed by U.S. (e.g., New York) law, English law or the commercial laws of other jurisdictions, or international treaties.

Attorneys within the Business Aircraft Finance group represent several of the world’s largest banks, investment companies and other financing providers, domestic and international aircraft and helicopter operating lessors, and export credit agencies. Our clients also include lessees and borrowers and other financing customers, including many of the largest publicly and privately held domestic and foreign companies and many high-net-worth individuals around the world.

Our broad-ranging, extensive and varied experience includes domestic (U.S.) and cross-border single and multi-investor or leveraged financings, “tax” leases, conditional sale and other secured financings, purported “off-balance-sheet” transactions, saleleasebacks, back-leveraged operating leases, warehouse facilities, residual value guaranties, purchases and sales of single and multiple aircraft and helicopter financings, and financings of flight simulators and other aviation-related equipment. We have developed an extensive network of law firms able to serve as local counsel, and our worldwide experience ensures that our clients’ interests are protected to the fullest extent possible under all applicable legal regimes.

Our transactions often involve third-party arrangements and other sophisticated structural considerations, including chartered and subleased aircraft, fractional-share and pay-card programs, and progress payment, outfitting, completion, refurbishment and other multi-stage financings.