Bournonville Grigorieff, formed from the former Brussels office of Kennedys but still affiliated to it, handles the full spectrum of aviation matters, from high-value corporate and leasing transactions to complex, cross-border disputes. The team provides comprehensive services, including commercial transactions, regulatory advice, coverage work, and litigation, arbitration, and mediation with clients ranging from international carriers, lessors, cargo companies, and specialist insurers. Name partner Dimitri De Bournonville is a key contact.
Aviation in Belgium
Bournonville Grigorieff
Praxisleiter:
Dimitri de Bournonville; Cyril-Igor Grigorieff
Referenzen
‘The team stands out as a leader within the Belgian and broader Benelux legal markets, offering an exceptional combination of regulatory, transactional, and litigation expertise across all their areas of operation.’
‘At the helm is Dimitri de Bournonville, whose more than three decades of experience and reputation for approachability, pragmatism, and subject matter mastery are widely recognized in the industry.’
‘This is a team of true professionals with vast knowledge of the sector and a hands-on approach; the firm has strong expertise in regulatory, contractual, corporate, and litigation matters.’
Kernmandanten
AIG
Air Belgium
Air Charter Service
Air France
Air Incheon
Air Transport Services Group
ASL Airlines Belgium
ASL Aviation Group
Aviabel (Axis)
Aviapartner
The Belgian Government
CAL Cargo Airlines
Maersk Air Cargo
Charles Taylor Adjusting
CMA CGM
Delvag
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Etihad Cargo
FedEx / TNT Express
Finnair
Global Aerospace
KLM
LOT Polish Airlines
Luxair
Macquarie Air Finance
Macquarie Rotorcraft
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Norse Atlantic Airways
Orix Aviation
Ryanair
San Miguel Corporation
Skytanking
Swiss International Airlines
Swissport Cargo Services
The Aviation Factory
Vueling
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisting the Luxembourg State owned airline Luxair in relation to the purchase and leasing of a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft in the context of its new fleet development strategy.
- Assisting Air Belgium in the context of its judicial reorganization and restructuring under the supervision of the Belgian commercial courts, including the renegotiation of all aircraft lease agreements and other major contracts with creditors, the filing of legal actions in the context of a possible takeover of the company’s activities.
- Acting for CMA CGM in relation to their strategic project, including the negotiation of strategic operational and commercial agreements with Chinese customers and aircraft lessors, the purchase of assets and activities from the Belgian airline Air Belgium and the negotiation of aircraft and engine lease agreements.
HFW
‘With deep knowledge of aviation’, HFW handles a range of transactional and contentious work for manufacturers, airlines, lessors and financial institutions on major accidents, complex commercial disputes and evolving regulatory frameworks. Described as a ‘true expert on regulatory matters and passenger rights’, Pierre Frühling handles a range of transactional work, including complex inter-airline agreements and large-scale aircraft fleet deals, while also assisting airlines in restructuring. He heads the practice alongside Alix d’Arjuzon, who focuses on regulatory and transactional aviation matters, such as aircraft finance and airlines’ joint ventures.
Praxisleiter:
Pierre Frühling; Alix d’Arjuzon
Referenzen
‘Excellent knowledge of European and local aviation law and extensive experience in passenger claims litigation.’
‘Pierre Frühling has an efficient and practical approach to resolving complex aviation matters.’
‘A key European and Asian player in the aviation legal sector, covering both regulatory and liability work.’
Kernmandanten
Air Arabia
Air Belgium
Air Canada
Air Corsica
Airlines For America A4A
Allianz AGCS
All Nippon Airways
Aviabel Axis
AXA XL
Cargolux
Cathay Pacific
CMA CGM Air Cargo
Croatia Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delvag
Global Aerospace
Hi Fly
IATA International Air Transport Association
Jung Skies Croatia
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
La Réunion Aérienne
Liege Airport
Luxaviation – Abelag
Pegasus
Latam
Swissport
Transavia Holland
Vietnam Airlines
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully representing the IATA and Airlines For America in the legal challenge against the new environmental permit granted to Brussels Airport, which limits its development.
- Successfully defending Liege Airport and its insurer in a case relating to alleged damage to a large Russian cargo aircraft during renovation works to its runway.
- Advising CMA CGM Air Cargo on several Belgian and European Union regulatory issues in the context of the take-over of Air Belgium.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper’s cross-practice aviation group has expertise in commercial aerospace issues, encompassing both civil and military aspects, particularly within the maintenance and aircraft manufacturing sectors. Bob Martens and Ilse Van de Mierop head the practice.
Praxisleiter:
Bob Martens; Ilse Van de Mierop
Kernmandanten
Sabena Aerospace Engineering SA
SABCA SA
Orizio SRL
Sabena Engineering Brussels SA
Aircamo Aviation Ltd.
Skeyes
Maintenance Aero Maroc SA
SABCA Maroc SA
Flying Group Lux SA
Sabena SA (in bankruptcy)
NV Aviapartner Holding
NV Aviapartner Belgium
Emirates Airlines
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising SABCA SA on the transfer of the ACT Business Unit (Actuators Activity) from SABCA SA to SABCA Technologies SRL in the context of a second partial demerger.
- Advising Sabena Aerospace Engineering SA in the context of the restructuring of Air Belgium SA, both on contractual (GTA) and restructuring aspects of Air Belgium and following the takeover of the activities by a subsidiary of CMA -CGM.
- Advising Flying Group SA in a dispute related to a dry-lease agreement and a claimed compensation for damages resulting from the (alleged) total loss of an aircraft.
Erkelens Law
Noted for its ‘knowledge and expertise as the result of decades of top professional work’, Erkelens Law handles work surrounding airport use, noise and other environmental regulation-related matters in the aviation space. Founder and practice head Catherine Erkelens brings ‘broad expertise with appreciated recognition beyond the borders’, specialising in airport infrastructure, ground handling and environmental issues.
Praxisleiter:
Catherine Erkelens
Referenzen
‘Best in class for aviation-related matters.’
‘Open and clear communication. Catherine has the skills to explain the legal issues at hand in a language that is understandable‘
‘The team of Erkelens Law continues to provide clients with outstanding legal advice in the area of aviation law. The knowledge and expertise of its members are the result of decades of top professional work in international and domestic files in the field. Interaction with clients is open, direct, and relevant, with excellent communication.’
Kernmandanten
Menzies Aviation
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Air One International Holdings
All Nippon Airways
Air Atlanta Icelandic
Air Atlanta Europe
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Lufthansa Cargo AG
Swiss International Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Thai Airways
Singapore Airlines
Flexjet
Amerijet
KM Malta Airlines
ASL Group
Chapman Freeborn
CIS Flight Support GmbH
Edelweiss Air
Helvetic Airways AG
Emirates
KF Aerospace
QP Property
TRFO, LLC
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Menzies Aviation with its participation in the selection procedure organized by Brussels Airport Company NV/SA for a seven-year licence for ground handling at Brussels Airport.
- Assisted Air Atlanta Icelandic with regulation on traffic rights from / to several countries.
- Assisted Amerijet with its compliance with Emissions Trading System legislation.
AdaStone Law
AdaStone Law is a sector-focused firm providing legal support across regulated industries, advising a broad range of aviation clients, including airlines, insurers, lessors and airports. The aviation team is co-headed by Lucile Sengier, Adam Ben Taleb, Jeanne Fiblec, Annabelle Levy and Stéphanie Golinvaux, whose combined expertise spans aircraft financing and leasing negotiations, claims and insurance litigation, and complex regulatory matters, including emissions offsetting, competition and state aid.
Praxisleiter:
Stéphanie Golinvaux; Lucile Sengier; Adam Ben Taleb; Jeanne Fiblec; Annabelle Levy
Kernmandanten
TUI Airlines Belgium
TUI fly Germany
TUI Airlines Nederland
TUI Airways
TUI Belgium
Cargolux
Amazon Air
PK Air Finance
Nordic Aviation Capital
SMBC
Castlelake
Altavair
Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising Amazon Air (Prime Air) regarding the project of drones’ delivery packages within the European Union.
- Assisting TUI Group in respect of regulatory questions (passenger rights, data protection, administrative procedures…) involving different jurisdictions within the EU.
- Assisting SMBC in a matter of aircraft finance, including review of contracts and preparing legal opinion.
Ariga
Ariga advises airlines on complex issues related to restructuring and insolvency, aircraft leasing and financing, purchase and sale agreements, as well as corporate jet financing and leasing. Practice head Birgitta Van Itterbeek is a key contact.
Praxisleiter:
Birgitta Van Itterbeek
Kernmandanten
TUI
Castleleake
Genesis
Altavair
BBAM
ACTC
Abelo
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Altavair on the restructuring of the aircraft lease agreements for several A330 aircraft in the context of the judicial reorganisation of Air Belgium.
- Advised Castlelake with respect to the securitisation of its lease portfolio involving several Belgian airlines.
- Advised TUI with the delivery and leasing of various Boeing 737 aircraft.
CMS
CMS is a full-service firm with broad expertise in air transport and airports and are noted for 'offering proactive, business-oriented solutions', advising private aircraft manufacturers, public authorities, airport infrastructure owners, ground handlers, and airlines. The firm has a distinct focus on European regulatory and competition law, with specific expertise in complex State aid matters concerning airport financing, commercial contracts with airlines, and compliance with EU regulations on ground handling, airport charges, and security. CMS also offers specific expertise in labour law within the air transport sector. Annabelle Lepièce heads the team and serves as the primary point of contact.
Praxisleiter:
Annabelle Lepièce
Referenzen
‘Rare expertise in airports and in commercial and contractual relationships with airlines.’
‘Ms Lepièce’s experience, network and skillset have enabled us to take a more assured, constructive approach to contractual relations with airlines.’
‘CMS provided insightful EU competition law advice on airport ground handling. They were responsive, precise, and met all deadlines.’
Kernmandanten
Sowaer
Croatian State
La Rochelle Airport
Cluj Airport
Aéroports de Catalunya
Belairbus
Corvinus/ Budapest Airport
Béziers Airport
Avinor
TEBEO (Blackwing)
Lyon Airport
Belgian State
Qatar Airways
Sowaer
Croatian State
La Rochelle Airport
Cluj Airport
Aéroports de Catalunya
Belairbus
Corvinus/ Budapest Airport
Béziers Airport
Avinor
TEBEO (Blackwing)
Lyon Airport
Belgian State
Qatar Airways
Highlight-Mandate
- Assistance to SOWAER in the compliance to State aid rules of a subsidy of EUR 13 million in favour of Sabena Engineering for the creation of an aircraft dismantle unit at Charleroi Airport.
- Representation of Cluj Airport in a preliminary ruling before the Court of Justice of the EU in a case against the Romanian Competition Authority regarding the imbrication between the European Directive on ground handling services and competition law.
- Assistance to the Croatian State for Zagreb Airport in the notification of the modification of the concession agreement as a non-aid to the European Commission.
- Assistance to SOWAER in the compliance to State aid rules of a subsidy of EUR 13 million in favour of Sabena Engineering for the creation of an aircraft dismantle unit at Charleroi Airport.
- Representation of Cluj Airport in a preliminary ruling before the Court of Justice of the EU in a case against the Romanian Competition Authority regarding the imbrication between the European Directive on ground handling services and competition law.
K&L Gates GP
K&L Gates GP covers all aspects of EU aviation and transport regulatory issues, complex contractual arrangements, and global supply chain matters. The practice advises on international and European transport legislation, including air, rail, road, and maritime transport. The group is led by competition specialists Mélanie Bruneau and Antoine de Rohan Chabot.
Praxisleiter:
Mélanie Bruneau; Antoine de Rohan Chabot
Kernmandanten
World Fuel Services
Crane
World Fuel Services
Crane
KADRANT LAW
KADRANT LAW assists lessors, lessees, private jet operators and high-net-worth individuals with sale agreements and commercial contracts, drawing on extensive experience in commercial aircraft finance and operating lease arrangements, including novations and security documentation. Practice head Giulia Mauri is praised for her ‘strategic insight, clarity and responsiveness’, and handles litigation, including passenger claims under Regulation 261, while also providing regulatory advice.
Praxisleiter:
Giulia Mauri
Referenzen
‘We’ve worked with Kadrant Law on aviation matters, and they have consistently delivered high-quality, practical legal advice. The team combines strong technical knowledge with a real understanding of operational and regulatory challenges. Giulia Mauri brings clarity, experience, and strategic thinking to every discussion.’
‘Giulia Mauri stands out for her exceptional legal expertise and practical approach. Her strategic insight, clarity, and responsiveness make her a trusted advisor in the aviation sector.’
‘Giulia Mauri is responsive, reliable, and has a strong understanding of the Belgian aviation market.’