The aviation industry in Canada is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, playing a critical role in transporting goods and people across vast distances. The industry is not only a major driver of the economy and essential for connecting remote communities, but it is also critical to several key sectors that rely on air transportation to access remote or challenging locations. Given British Columbia’s vast and often rugged terrain, aviation supports industries and services that are vital to the country’s economic well-being and public safety, including natural resources, heli-skiing, sport fishing and other tourism, air ambulance and other emergency services.
With deep industry knowledge and a client-focused approach, we support aviation businesses, financial institutions, lessors, and aircraft owners in navigating the specialized and complex regulatory and commercial landscape of the aviation industry. We also offer strategic advice for commercial matters, including aviation and aircraft transactions and registration, as well as aviation service contracts and federally regulated employment matters.
Our lawyers have assisted with local and cross-border aircraft acquisitions, dispositions and financings involving the U.S., Europe and South America. We have significant experience working with Oklahoma-based escrow agents in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of N-registered aircraft. We also have experience with Canadian Transportation Agency and Transport Canada licensing and registration matters, including structuring to meet Canadian ownership and control requirements. We regularly assist clients with commercial and private aircraft financing, including facilitating searches and registrations in the International Registry of Mobile Assets.
To ensure that clients benefit from our fully integrated and multidisciplinary approach, we work collaboratively with our colleagues within the firm to capitalize on their wealth of knowledge. We work with the firm’s complementary practice areas, such as business law, tax, secured lending, employment and labour law, and others to offer holistic strategies and achieve optimal outcomes. We combine legal expertise with industry insights to deliver practical, innovative solutions for our clients, fostering long-term success in an evolving market.
Our services include:
- Mergers and Acquisitions: We have considerable M&A experience acting for buyers and sellers of mid-size aviation companies. Our experience includes structuring, tax advice and guidance in relation to regulatory compliance.
- Aircraft Purchase and Sale: We provide comprehensive legal services covering all stages of aircraft purchases and dispositions, from drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements to ensuring regulatory compliance and managing closing processes, including cross-border transactions. Our experience spans a wide range of aircraft and jurisdictions, including commercial jets, private aircraft, and helicopters.
- Aircraft Financing: We represent both lenders and borrowers in structuring and negotiating aircraft financing. Our team has extensive experience handling secured aircraft financings, ensuring that our clients’ interests are protected and that transactions close efficiently. We are experienced users of the International Registry of Mobile Assets.
- Aircraft Leasing: We have significant experience in aircraft leasing transactions, advising lessors, lessees, and financial institutions on operating leases, finance leases, and wet/dry leases. We offer strategic advice to manage risk, ensure compliance, and optimize the commercial terms of leasing agreements.
- Business Structuring and Licencing: We have experience structuring the set-up and reorganization of aviation companies to meet Canadian ownership and other regulatory requirements of the Canadian Transportation Agency and Transport Canada.
- Labour and Employment: Our labour and employment lawyers have extensive experience navigating federal labour and employment laws specific to the aviation industry, including the Canada Labour Code and regulations governing federally regulated employers. Our team is skilled in advising aviation clients on issues related to shift work, irregular hours, and scheduling, ensuring that staffing practices align with operational needs while maintaining compliance with legal requirements.
- Tax: We provide strategic guidance on corporate structure and the structuring of aircraft ownership and financing arrangements, ensuring tax efficiency and compliance in relation to the commercial use of aircraft.
