Aviation

Overview

The aviation industry in Australia is always dealing with challenges – from fuel prices, global competition, sustainability and workforce unrest to infrastructure that keeps ahead of demand.

Our Aviation team has decades of experience in advising the sector. Our clients include airlines, aircraft operators, freight forwarders, airport operators, cargo exporters and importers, governments and regulators.

Our Aviation team has standout expertise in aviation insurance claims. We provide a comprehensive range of services that span drafting and amending policy wording for aircraft, hangar keepers’ liability, loss of licence, aircraft aerial application liability and non-owned aircraft liability, as well as balloon, glider and hang glider policies. 

We are known for our ability to swiftly resolve disputes and work as one with insureds, underwriters and other parties. We have acted in some of the leading cases in Australian aviation liability.

Recently our expertise has been drawn on to advise on the risks of unmanned aerial vehicles. 

More broadly, we address the sector’s multi-faceted needs by drawing on our experts in corporate, finance, construction, property, planning and environment, employment, workplace safety and technology to provide a service that meets the diverse needs of our clients. 

Our Aviation team’s experience includes advising:  

• airlines and their underwriters on hull and liability claims following aircraft accidents
• insurers on policies, coverage and recoveries
• companies delivering supplies and equipment to offshore oil platforms and army bases in war zones
• on accident investigations and coronial inquests
• on passenger claims, from the straightforward to the complex
• on aircraft finance, including negotiating finance contractual documents, registering and protecting security interests 
• on claims for damage to air cargo, liability, claims, major casualties, emergency response and investigations, and
• on procurement of all types of aviation-related goods and services.

Our Aviation team is consistently ranked among the best in respected guides, Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and Best Lawyers in Australia.