Milbank LLP’s Aviation Practice has been recognized with eleven awards by ISHKA’s Deal of the Year 2024 Awards. The winners will be celebrated at ISHKA’s conferences in Dublin, Singapore, and New York throughout the year. Milbank’s global finance practice was highlighted for its work on notable deals completed in 2024.
The award-winning deals include JetBlue’s $662 million secured A/B term loan facility, where Milbank served as legal counsel to the lenders led by BNP Paribas, earning the Most Innovative Deal 2024 award. Additionally, JetBlue’s inaugural $2.765 billion loyalty financing was named Best Capital Markets Deal 2024 with Milbank advising the lenders.
In Europe, Avolon’s $5 billion acquisition of Castlelake Aviation Limited received the Best European M&A 2024 award, with Milbank acting as legal counsel to Castlelake. Carlyle Aviation Partners’ $428.1 million AASET 2024-1 won Best Lessor Deal 2024, and PK AirFinance’s PKAIR 2024-1 ABS was awarded Best Alt Lenders Deal 2024; both had Milbank as legal counsel.
Azorra’s financing involving the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and ITASCA Embraer won Best Supported Financing Deal 2024, while Chorus Aviation’s sale to HPS was named Best Regional Jet Deal 2024; Milbank provided legal counsel in both transactions.
United Airlines’ approximately $1.35 billion EETC, UAL 2024-1 deal received the Best Used Aircraft Deal 2024 award with Milbank serving as underwriter’s counsel. Scandinavian Airlines’ chapter 11 exit financing earned Best Restructuring Deal 2024 recognition for which Milbank acted as special aviation counsel to Castlelake.
The Altavair / Qatar Airways term loan secured the Best MEA Deal 2024 title with Milbank advising Altavair. IAG’s $3 billion sustainability-linked revolving credit facility was acknowledged with a Sustainable Financing Pioneer Award where Milbank represented the lenders.
Milbank’s Transportation and Space Group Practice Group Leader stated that their team is “honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside each of our clients throughout the year” and looks forward to continuing this collaboration in an evolving market.
“We’re so grateful to be recognized by ISHKA for these deals,” said Chair of Milbank’s Transportation and Space Group and practice leader. “We are proud to continue to push the boundaries on groundbreaking transactions for our clients.”
Milbank also recently received recognition at Airline Economics’ Aviation 100 Americas Awards, winning six Deal of the Year awards. Known as a leading law firm in global aviation, they advise on various aviation transactions including financings, mergers and acquisitions.
