A claim arising at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a collaboration between various (air) carriers, the (wet) lease during the busier summer months, a new (travel agency) agreement or legal proceedings concerning passenger rights: a little turbulence in the aviation sector is not strange to us. Aviation is characterised by a complex playing field of national and international companies and consumers. This includes commercial law, insurance law, but also international treaties and European law. We will be happy to help you with any legal issues you may have to deal with in the aviation industry.

An airline or ground handling company runs a business as well as any other, but it also has to deal with a large number of specialist regulations. Think, for example, of European regulations, IATA resolutions and the Montreal Convention. Our aviation team is always aware of Dutch and international regulations and they ensure that this information is easy for you to incorporate in your day-to-day business.

Passenger rights procedures are another aspect in the aviation sector that often requires legal support. Think, for example, of passengers who claim financial compensation from the airline when their flight is delayed or cancelled for 3 hours or more. We help airlines with such disputes, we assess whether a successful defence is possible, we conduct legal proceedings and, if desired, we handle settlements.

In addition to litigation, we are also extensively involved in providing advice within the aviation sector. We can assist you with, among other things:

• Entering into settlement agreements;
• averting liability;
• claiming damages;
• lease of aircrafts;
• aircraft maintenance or other commercial contracts;
• seizing (or lifting thereof) an aircraft in the Netherlands;
• entering into cooperation with a Dutch company.

In order to provide legal advice, knowledge of what is happening in the aviation industry is crucial. Staying up-to-date on relevant European legislation and European Court of Justice rulings is just as essential. For more information,  please feel free to contact our office.

We act on behalf of international airlines and airports. We are also regularly called in by foreign law firms without their own offices in the Netherlands. Curious to find out what we can do for your legal aviation issue? Please contact Lisa Kloot or Gentia Niesert.