Aviation & Travel is a core area of practice for XXIV Old Buildings. Many members have extensive experience in aviation disputes, covering the full spectrum of commercial, consumer and regulatory issues. Members of XXIV Old Buildings have acted in many of the highest profile and highest value cases in this area.
Our members regularly act for flagship and major airlines, insurers, reinsurers, airport operators, ground handlers, aircraft and engine lessors and lessees, manufacturers, travel agents, and regulators, in aviation litigation and arbitration. Members act in contractual disputes, product liability disputes and litigation involving regulatory issues.
Members also have experience of fatal accident cases, having acted in some of the largest and high-profile large loss aviation cases in the jurisdiction including the Lamia Flight 2933 litigation and the Leicester Helicopter crash.
XXIV Old Buildings’ members often act in aviation disputes involving the conflict of laws, acitng in aviation matters connected to jurisdictions across the globe.
Many members have particular experience in a wide range of technical matters, and understand the complexities and nuances relating to aircraft maintenance regimes and engineering claims. In addition, they can call upon their significant expertise in areas such as insolvency and civil fraud where aviation disputes overlap with other areas.
Many members have expertise in cases involving the travel industry, acting for a range of parties in this area including tour operators, hotels and regulatory bodies.
For more information on our members’ expertise or to discuss a particular matter, please contact us.
This is an important judgment on (i) the scope of the ‘extraordinary circumstances’ defence contained with Regulation (EC) 261/2004; and (ii) how rights accrued under an EU Regulation prior to Brexit operate post-Brexit.
Acting for various reinsurers in claims brought by aircraft lessors in England pursuant to aircraft operator insurance policies and reinsurance policies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Acting for the family of the former chair of Leicester City FC in a product liability claim against the manufacturer of an AW169 helicopter which crashed in 2018 shortly after take-off, killing all on board.
Acting for Qatar Airways in these ongoing Commercial Court proceedings, in which more than US$100m is in dispute, regarding the airline’s decision to terminate orders for new seats and associated equipment for a significant proportion of its fleet.
Acting for the lessee against the airline concerning claims for breaches of redelivery conditions.
Acting for Qatar Airlines in a dispute with Airbus concerning peeling paint of A350 aircraft, with the airline seeking compensation after being forced to ground many of its fleet, alleging that this constituted a safety issue, a claim which Airbus denied.
Acting in this successful claim for c.$18m against the flag carrier lessor Air India.
Acting for an aircraft leasing company concerning outstanding aircraft leasing payments. The subsequent third party debt order application against IATA has become the leading authority on such applications where the arrangement with the third party is governed by an exclusive jurisdiction clause.
Acting for an aircraft leasing company successfully defending a claim by an airline for maintenance contributions in a total sum of US$13 million allegedly arising under a lease and pursuing a counterclaim for breach of return conditions.
Acting in this novel and successful claim for the aerodrome owner to ‘evict’ 747s, Tristars and other aircraft parked unlawfully on the airfield.
Acting for the successful claimant in a claim relating to financial conditions following the end of a long-term aircraft engine maintenance contract.
Acting in this matter which was the first case to consider the meaning of ‘airworthiness’ of an aircraft, and also the first case in which a court has refused summary judgment for rent despite the lessee having signed a certificate of acceptance.
Acting in this claim for the delivery up of 3 Boeing 747-400 aircraft against an Iranian Airline, the dispute turning on whether the aircraft were acquired as a front for an Iranian airline in an attempt to get around US sanctions on Iran.
