Amongst our transport sector clients, Royds advises a number of major and minor airlines including Air France and Air India. Our commercial understanding of the sector and our international network means that we are able to provide a broad range of services to them including:

Outsourced legal department – For international airlines with limited operations in the UK, we are able to provide a highly responsive and cost effective solution to all their legal needs including commercial contracts, employment, real estate and disputes advice. Our “in-house lawyer” service can be configured for large and small organisations with a suitable monthly or quarterly retainer so that clients can be reassured about their legal budget.

Employment – Our dedicated team of employment lawyers advise on a range of issues including transfer of undertakings (TUPE) when businesses are purchased or sold, contracts of employment or service for senior staff, outsourcing, discrimination, dismissal and redundancy procedures and general day to day advice.

Procurement/Commercial contracts – Airlines enter into a multitude of contracts on a regular basis, whether this is for complex air slots at major airports or with catering, cargo handling and other service providers. Our commercial lawyers are pragmatic and business like and are also specialists advising in areas such as intellectual property, agency/distribution agreements, contracts for VIP suites, catering, ticketing, call handling, fuel hedging and cargo and baggage handling.

Real estate – Within our commercial property team, that advises both landlords and tenants on sales, purchases and leases, we have specialists with wide experience in the airline sector including in retail operations and in construction matters. We also advise on property disputes and in all types of property related litigation.

Disputes and litigation – Our highly regarded litigation team supports airlines in a range of issues from contractual disputes to regulatory matters and also advises on passenger and cargo claims. As well as conducting litigation in the High Court and local County Courts, we specialise in domestic and international arbitration and all forms of ADR, including mediation.

Ex-patriot support – Our private client department is able to advise airline executives who are posted temporarily or permanently in the UK on UK taxation, immigration and other legal matters.

Why Royds?

Accessible - Royds offers airlines a convenient central location in the City of London and access to an international network of lawyers spanning over 20 countries.

Value for money - Whilst being large enough to have specialist teams in the areas of commercial, employment, real estate and litigation, we are small enough to provide a personalised, partner led and responsive service at a cost effective rate.

Continuity - Knowing that often airline staff are rotated to the UK, our approach to developing long term partnerships with our clients where we invest our time in really getting to understand their operations, systems, procedures and preferences means that we are able to provide a high degree of continuity.

Pragmatic - Our clients report that we are particularly skilled at adapting the level of advice depending on whether we are dealing with highly knowledgeable and sophisticated in-house lawyers or relatively inexperienced management staff with little or no legal knowledge.