International Comparative Legal Guide - Aviation Finance & Leasing

Just as this latest edition of ICLG -
Aviation Finance & Leasing goes to publication, another instance of the
increasing uncertainties created by a series of world events occurs, this time
US President Trump's announcement that much of the world's economic trading
will now be subject to an increased cost to the US consumer of anything which
is deemed to be not 'Made In USA'. The series of macro events shows no
signs of abating and confirms moreover that we are now firmly embedded in a new
era of changing relationships and reference points.



Indeed, the dynamics involved in much of this
have, somewhat incredibly, already relegated the COVID-19 global pandemic,
Brexit, the dramatic Hamas incursion in Israel and the Israeli response to
that, and Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, to another time and a
status as historical footnotes.



How all of these developments impact on
aviation and the ability to respond to its enormous thirst for
reasonably-priced capital, all against the backdrop of IATA's much-lauded
commitment to 'Fly Net Zero' by 2050 (US$ 5 trillion is estimated to be
required for such carbon-neutrality to cover research & development,
certification and commercial acquisitions for delivery to operators), will be
fascinating and of course become clearer in time.



What remains assured is that this reinforces
once again the vital role and significance of aviation finance, both globally
and regionally, while demanding the best of those legal practitioners
specialising in aviation finance to help support and evolve the navigation of
these developments and their consequences. The opportunity to make a positive
impact by identifying risks, creating solutions to manage them and representing
a source of reliable and effective advice, has probably never been greater.



As a consequence, the invitation to participate
in the Guide was unsurprisingly once more hugely well received by some
of the world's leading law firms and the most recognised specialists in the
sector, as well as by other partners involved in this latest iteration of such
a rewarding project.



Our sincere thanks therefore go once again to
both Global Legal Group for their efforts and unstinting support in again
bringing together such preeminent contributors, and to those involved for so
generously sharing their knowledge and expertise in a single volume. It is
indeed an honour to be asked to write the Preface once again and K&L Gates
LLP is equally pleased to serve once more as the Guide's Contributing Editor.



On a personal note, I trust that as a minimum
you find the Guide an indispensable working companion, an interesting
read in its own right, and a useful reference point in amongst all the change.
I certainly hope that reading it will be at least as enjoyable as it has been
for us in compiling it once again as the new era develops apace.