Norton Rose Fulbright advises on three winning deals at the Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards 2026

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright's aviation team has been recognised for its work advising on three award-winning transactions at the Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards 2026, organised annually by Airline Economics to celebrate excellence across the aviation finance and leasing industry.

The firm advised on the Supported Finance Deal of the Year, Structured Finance Deal of the Year and Lease Deal of the Year, reflecting the strength and breadth of the firm's global aviation finance practice.

For the Supported Finance Deal of the Year, Norton Rose Fulbright advised TAAG - Linhas Aéreas de Angola, S.A. (TAAG) on a US $330 million financing to support the delivery of two Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft and related equipment. The financing was structured through a combination of US Export-Import Bank (US EXIM)-guaranteed loans arranged by J.P. Morgan and 100 percent counter-guaranteed by Afreximbank, together with a further commercial loan from Afreximbank. The team was led by London-based partner Eleanor Martin and included associate Tom Logan, with New York law advice from partner Fiona Henderson and counsel Matthew Foos.

The Structured Finance Deal of the Year was awarded for an Emirates Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) for A350-900s aircraft. Norton Rose Fulbright advised HSBC on its support of the acquisition of four Airbus A350-900 aircraft as the sole senior arranger, original lender, and agent for the senior secured debt, marking its first ever commercial financing of an Airbus A350 for the airline and contributing to its return to the JOLCO market. The team was led by partner Marc Hamilton, with support from counsel Ed Bentley, and paralegals Mohammad Khan and Abir Ahmed.

For the Aviation Lease Deal of the Year, Norton Rose Fulbright advised TAP Air Portugal on the successful completion of a JOLCO facility, marking the airline's re-entry into the JOLCO market after more than twenty years. The milestone transaction supported TAP's ongoing fleet renewal programme, enabling the financing of the aircraft through a bespoke cross-currency structure designed to optimise capital efficiency and operational flexibility. The team was led by partner Giles Brand, with support from senior associate Chiranj Shah.

Duncan Batchelor, global head of aviation at Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

"We are delighted to have supported clients on three such high-profile award-winning transactions. Each deal highlights the creativity, technical strength and global reach of our aviation finance practice. These recognitions speak to the trust placed in us across the industry, and we congratulate our clients and all deal participants on these achievements."

Norton Rose Fulbright's award-winning global aviation team advises airlines, banks and financiers, lessors, export credit agencies and other industry participants across the full spectrum of aviation legal services, including fleet selection, financing and leasing transactions, regulatory matters, restructuring, competition law and commercial contracting. The team works across key aviation hubs worldwide, delivering innovative, market-leading solutions to complex cross-border matters.