Aviation and law
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.
Specialist regulations in the aviation sector
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.
Procedures for passengers’ rights in aviation
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.
Advice on agreements within the airline industry
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.
Lawyers aviation
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.
More sectors
More about Aviation
Judicial sale of vessels
The Netherlands is a suitable jurisdiction to enforce claims against ships. The arrest of vessels is a broadly used manner to obtain payment or security for a long outstanding claim. It is not always that vessels are subsequently released. Especially where various parties arrest a vessel there is always a risk that the vessel will not leave port in the same ownership. With a certain frequency seagoing vessels are sold before the Dutch Courts through a judicial sale by public auction.
Ship Arrest in The Netherlands
The Kingdom of The Netherlands is party to several international conventions within the maritime field, including the International Convention Relating to the Arrest of Sea-Going Ships (Brussels, May 10, 1952).
The House for Whistleblowers Act has come into effect
On 1 July 2016, the Dutch House for Whistleblowers Act (Wet Huis voor Klokkenluiders) came into effect. Pursuant to this act, employees who have a suspicion of abuse within the organisation for which they work can turn to the House for Whistleblowers if the employer does not have a (adequate) procedure in place or the employer has failed to handle an internal report correctly.
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Curious about what we can do for your business?
Please contact us.


