We provide sound and practical legal solutions which take into account our clients’ perspective, concerns and priorities.
Our teams have been working together within and across departments for many years to provide a specialised, consistent and high-standard service.
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Bernitsas Law is a market leader in the provision of commercial law services in Greece and one of the largest firms in the country.
Aviation
Our practice’s track record in Aviation stretches back to advising on financing transactions entered into by Olympic Airways over three decades ago. Since then, the Firm has acted in leveraged leasing, export credit finance, sale and leaseback and asset financing transactions.
The market for private operators opened in Greece in 1994, following which our Aviation department has been instructed by numerous private airlines to assist in their establishment, financing, aircraft acquisition, leasing and chartering and to advise on regulatory, licensing and ground handling issues. We have acted in all the major privatisations to have taken place in Greece in the Aviation sector, including advising the Hellenic Republic in the landmark €177.2m privatisation of the national airline, Olympic Airways.
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Securitisation of Aircraft Lease Portfolio
We have advised international financial institutions on the securitisation of their claims against owners of aircraft by the security assignment of aircraft leases between the aircraft owners and a Greek airline. We continue to respond to extensive jurisdictional questionnaires in the context of aircraft transactions, including leases, mortgages and securitisations.
BNP Paribas Mortgage Extension
We advised BNP Paribas with respect to the extension of a first preferred aircraft mortgage.
Hellenic Republic Sale of Aircraft
Bernitsas Law advised the Hellenic Republic on the sale of commercial aircraft.
Aircraft Engine Lease Portfolio
We advised the acquiror of a lease portfolio of aircraft engines on the transfer of leases.
Mortgage Discharge & Registrations of Aircraft Portfolio
We acted for leading international banking institutions on the sale of aircraft and the discharge of existing mortgages and registration of new ones.
Aircraft Leasing
We advised leasing corporations on aircraft leases to airlines.
Acquisitions & Ownership Transfers
We represented the purchasers in the acquisition of aircraft leased to private air carriers and the registration of the ownership transfer with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Claim Against Technical Services Provider
We advised the lessee of a private aircraft in its claims against a US technical services provider.
- regulatory framework: airlines, airports, air traffic rights, public service obligations, ground handling industry (including MRO)
- national bilateral agreements
- establishment of new aviation companies
- establishment of subsidiaries of international aviation companies
- ground handling and supply contracts
- sale, finance and lease of individual aircraft and fleet
- operating and financial leases and related financial and security documentation including EXIM and European Export Credit
- finance
- mergers, acquisitions, disposals, privatisations and financings
- European Union and national regulatory and legislative: transactions, employment agreements, intellectual property rights and taxation