Stuart
Kennedy
Partner
Stuart is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department and advises on all aspects of aviation, shipping, rail and other asset financing, trading and leasing matters on a daily basis.
He has gained considerable experience in advising on the structuring of aircraft purchase, sale, financing and leasing transactions and acts for a number of aircraft lessors, financiers and airlines in leveraged, syndicated and export credit agency backed financing facilities.
Stuart also has considerable experience in advising on structured finance, ABS (asset-backed securities) and repackaging transactions relating to all such asset classes including the establishment of special purpose companies funded by public and private issuances.
He also regularly advises Irish airlines and leasing companies on airline licencing and registration issues with the Irish Aviation Authority and Commission for Aviation Regulation in addition to all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol.
Stuart regularly presents to aircraft and aircraft engine lessors on all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol and to company directors on their duties and responsibilities under Irish law.
Experience and Education
- Advised on a US$ 349.1 million EETC (enhanced equipment trust certificate) transaction to finance 10 aircraft for an airline, which represented the first public EETC for that airline.
- Advised on a US$1.21 billion asset-backed securitisation in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio of 48 aircraft with leases attached.
- Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on its US$4 billion aircraft portfolio sale.
- Advised one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines on establishing long-haul operations by setting up a new Irish airline.
- Acted as Irish counsel for an aircraft lessor on its US$120 million revolving pre-delivery payment facility to finance 20 Airbus A320-200 aircraft over a period of two years.
- Advised an aircraft lessor on the export credit agency supported financing of a portfolio of Bombardier CRJ-1000 aircraft.
- Advised on the export credit agency supported financing of Embraer ERJ 190-200 aircraft.
- Advised on the Export–Import Bank of China supported financing of a portfolio of Airbus and Boeing aircraft by an Irish aircraft lessor.
- Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on the acquisition of a large portfolio of Airbus and Boeing aircraft with leases attached.
- Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on the consolidation of its various leasing platforms containing over 60 aircraft.
- Regularly advises in relation to engine and equipment leasing.
- Regularly acts as Cape Town counsel.
- University of Limerick, Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting
- Admitted as a solicitor in Ireland
- Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales (non-practising)
Stuart is a lecturer and tutor on the Law Society of Ireland’s Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance.
