In recent matters, our Aviation Practice Group:

• Represented partners of a global commercial airline alliance in applying to the USDOT for expansion of a grant of immunity from US antitrust laws for the addition to the alliance of a major US airline. We also represented a US airline in connection with a review of the proposed alliance expansion by the US Department of Justice and a European airline in connection with a parallel review by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition.
• Advised a European airline on corporate, antitrust and aviation regulatory law aspects of its recent acquisition of a substantial minority ownership interest in a US airline. The transaction represented the first major investment by an EU airline in a US airline following the signing of the US-EU open skies air transport agreement in 2007.
• Provided US and European aviation regulatory and antitrust advice to a leading European airline in connection with the acquisition of another European airline.
• Advised a foreign government with respect to the privatization, via asset sale, of its flag air carrier. We had primary responsibility for all corporate, international regulatory and other aspects of this complex transaction, which involved separate tenders for the airline and its ground handling and maintenance/repair businesses.
• Assisted carriers in negotiating slot exchange agreements at London Heathrow airport.
• Represented a US airline and a foreign air carrier in successfully appealing decisions by the Transportation Security Administration ("TSA”) requiring the carriers to pay millions of dollars in additional Aviation Security Infrastructure Fees.
• Successfully represented a US airline trade group in appealing a New York statute requiring airlines experiencing extended pre-departure ground delays to provide passengers with specified amenities. The appellate court agreed with our argument that federal law preempts state laws relating to the service of any air carrier.
• Advised on numerous business jet aircraft transactions for various of the firm’s corporate and private clients (including transactions involving the purchase or sale of companies or assets, including aircraft, the purchase and sale of individual aircraft, and fractional aircraft interests). We also advised clients on compliance with tax, SEC, and FAA regulatory requirements associated with the ownership and operation of corporate aircraft.

• Chambers USA 2012 acknowledged our aviation group's regulatory practice nationally and individually honored David Heffernan and Bruce Rabinovitz. Both Heffernan and Bruce Rabinovitz are consistently recognized. According to Chambers, clients say Rabinovitz is "an outstanding lawyer to have on your side in a fight with the regulators; he's knowledgeable and rational, a very smart, talented guy." Sources say Heffernan "can be counted on to respond quickly and, as well as being a sound lawyer, he is a pleasure to work with."
• Consistently ranked in Chambers UK in the aviation (regulatory) category. Comments about our practice have included "expertise ranges from 'open skies' agreements and cartel investigations to issues surrounding airline privatisations and mergers.” Michael Holter has also earned individual recognition, and as Chambers stated, "elicits praise from clients for his thorough understanding of clients' needs."
• Legal 500 UK 2012 ranked our aviation practice, and individually recognized Michael Holter and Duncan Speller as "highly recommended" in the sector.