Justin Benson
Biography
Legal 500 UK 2024
"Justin is extremely knowledgeable, efficient at running his team, and I trust him wholeheartedly."
Chambers UK 2024
“Justin provides thoughtful and careful advice with good attention to detail.”
“He’s very matter of fact, pragmatic and responsive.”
Asset Finance, Chambers UK 2023
Overview
Justin Benson is a leading asset finance lawyer with significant experience in advising the aviation industry. Justin has broad experience in asset financing transactions, with a particular emphasis on aircraft finance, including the use of cross-border tax-based leasing structures, export credit agency backed financing and aircraft-based capital markets, M&A and restructuring transactions. He advises a wide range of clients on aircraft financing transactions including banks and export credit agencies, airlines, leasing companies, private equity investors, manufacturers and arrangers.
Experience
MEASAT-3b communications satellite refinancing
Representation of Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking and ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch as mandated lead arrangers, original lenders and hedging providers, on the refinancing of the MEASAT-3b communications satellite.
Global Transport Finance's "Aircraft Lessor Debt Deal of the Year: Asia" 2018
Representation of Vermillion Aviation, the leading Ireland-based aircraft leasing company and a joint venture between Cheung Kong Holdings and MC Aviation Partners in connection with a large-scale, US$950 million secured financing for the refinancing of a portfolio of 40 aircraft.
AirFinance Journal's "Europe Deal of the Year" 2018
Representation of Deutsche Bank in the operating lessor JOLCO financing of a portfolio of 12 Embraer E190 aircraft leased by a leading regional aircraft lessor to an African airline, a Spanish airline and a Mexican airline.
Kenya Airways restructuring
Representation of Kenya Airways Limited, the Kenyan flag-carrier and one of Africa's leading airlines, on its US$2 billion financial restructuring.
Rhône Capital's VistaJet investment
Representation of global private equity firm Rhône Capital LLC on its US$150 million preferred equity investment, through affiliated investment funds, in VistaJet.
ECA-supported bond refinancing
Representation of the UK Export Credit Agency (UKEF) in connection with the US$300 million ECA-supported bond refinancing of four Airbus A330 Aircraft for Malaysian Airline System Berhad.
Aircraft portfolio financings
Representation of lenders in connection with limited recourse financings to operating lessors of aircraft portfolios on lease to numerous airlines.
ECA aircraft financings
Representation of UKEF, Bpifrance, Euler Hermes and various banks in connection with numerous export credit-supported financings including more than 40 Airbus aircraft for AirAsia Berhad, as well as for Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Air Arabia, Air Mauritius and AirAsia X.
Emirates
Representation of financiers in lease financings of Airbus and Boeing aircraft to Emirates Airline.
Etihad
Representation of financiers in lease financing of Airbus aircraft to Etihad Airways.
Embraer aircraft financings
Representation of BNDES in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Embraer aircraft for various airlines.
Regular presenter and co-chairman at the Euromoney European Airfinance School in the United Kingdom since 2003.
'Recent Trends in Aviation Finance and Leasing: Post-Pandemic Guidance For Operating Lessors and Financiers' – October 2023
Leading Individual: Asset Finance – Aviation Finance
Chambers UK 2024
Hall of Fame: Transport Finance & Leasing
Legal 500 UK 2024
