Edward Sauer focuses his practice in the area of air transportation. He has worked in the aviation industry extensively and is deeply familiar with the issues confronting it. His experience includes representing US and non-US airlines, aircraft component manufacturers, CRSs, GDSs, investors and hedge funds before the US DOT, FAA, TSA and other agencies regulating aspects of air transportation.

Additionally, Edward’s practice encompasses the aviation industry’s emerging markets and Latin America-based airlines in particular. His expertise includes all aspects of aviation regulatory law as well as the more general legal issues that arise from aviation operations including equipment acquisition, airline computerized reservation systems and transportation infrastructure. He also represents aviation clients in contract negotiations for such matters as GDS service, codesharing and airport access.

Edward regularly represents buyers and sellers of executive and commercial aircraft in negotiating sales and purchase contracts and leases, and has represented airports and developers and government agencies in privatizations both under the US PPP program and internationally.

Edward’s experience includes US FAA enforcement and compliance issues for aircraft component manufacturers and airlines; issues involving US and non-US investors including hedge funds; rulemaking proceedings before the US DOT; commercial negotiations for airlines, investors and websites; airline citizenship, fitness and route proceedings before the US DOT; and airport privatization and concessions.

Edward also has spoken at industry events concerning issues of concern to the aviation community. A recent example is an address that he gave concerning a sweeping proposal by the US DOT for new passenger protection regulations to a group of 70 airline legal counsel and also at the Fall 2010 Legal Forum of the International Air Transport Association.

Szakmai tapasztalat

• Representing major US passenger and cargo airlines in successful efforts to obtain authority to serve newly opened routes between the United States and China.
• Representing successfully hedge funds, cargo airlines and passenger airlines in reviews of airline fitness and citizenship by the US DOT following acquisitions of control by new investors.
• Representing a major US airport in successful efforts to maintain a high level of scheduled airline service and avoid “dehubbing” in the aftermath of a major consolidation of US airlines.
• Advising foreign governments in Eastern Europe, Northern Africa and state and local government organizations in the United States on structures for the privatization of airports including through public/private partnerships.
• Representing buyers, sellers, lessors and lessees in numerous transactions involving well over 100 business and air carrier aircraft including, most recently:
  • Acquisition of Gulfstream G550 aircraft by a major biotechnology firm;
  • Acquisition of five Boeing B737 aircraft by a major South American airline;
  • Acquisition of two Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft by a major US insurer;
  • Acquisition of five Gulfstream G350 aircraft by a major US automobile manufacturer.