Air Transportation

The Benesch Transportation & Logistics Group offers top-ranked domestic and international experience across all modes. Air transportation is no exception. Many of the industry’s most dynamic and debated issues are unique to the air sector, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), lithium-ion battery and other hazardous materials transport, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) compliance, carrier registration, and supply chain security and screening. The Benesch team has long provided seasoned counsel and representation in the complex, fast-evolving and turbulent air transportation sector.

High-Flying Background You Need

Global supply chains increasingly rely on air transport for speed and flexibility. These benefits come with significant cost, regulation and risk. Benesch attorneys navigate these continually evolving challenges by providing valuable insight into market and enforcement trends and by delivering practical, operational solutions for shippers, forwarders, carriers, technology providers, investors, pilots and airport clients.

Our team partners with yours to deliver the informed guidance and industry fluency you expect from your own leadership. We bring varied legal and operational experience, including former in-house counsel managing Indirect Air Carrier compliance at major logistics providers, a licensed customs broker and a certified pilot. We are also active in the influential trade organizations shaping the air sector. For example, Martha Payne serves on the Regulatory and Compliance Committee and as a Member at the Bar with the Air Forwarders Association. Our practice spans domestic and international matters, including import and export issues inherent to global air transport.

Full-Service Experience You Trust

Benesch’s national and international footprint provides the multidisciplinary depth of experience needed for transactional, regulatory and litigation matters involving air transportation. Our experience includes:

• Drafting and negotiating modern state-of-the-law contracts, including those tailored to air transportation, surface transportation and drayage, developing station agents, equipment finance, equipment lease, aircraft sales and leases (including partnerships and fractional ownership agreements), aircraft charters and airport leases.

• Counseling on regulatory compliance and operational best practices, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures, IACSSP compliance, STA requirements, C-TPAT compliance, cargo security, hazardous materials, UAV, import/export compliance, and airport certification and reporting requirements.

• Guiding clients through licensing and operating authority applications and renewals, including IATA/CNS Certificate and TSA-approved IAC processes.

• Representing clients in enforcement investigations and audits by the FAA, TSA and CBP, including mitigation and, in some cases, elimination of fines and penalties.

• Prosecuting and defending cargo loss, damage and delay claims.

• Representation during mergers and acquisitions on both the buy and sell sides, including transportation-focused due diligence on a global basis, assessment of risk exposure, analysis of operating authorities and procedures, and analysis of cargo claims.