Ilya Dvorkin

Ilya is a Partner at HAS Law Firm and a recognised expert in asset finance, acting for leading participants in the international aviation market. His practice focuses primarily on the Middle East and the CIS region, where he advises airlines, banks, leasing companies and investment funds on complex, cross-border matters. Ilya has extensive experience across the full spectrum of aircraft financing, including pre-delivery payment financings, ECA-backed transactions, aircraft sale and purchase agreements, portfolio sales, operating and finance leasing, as well as related tax, customs and regulatory issues.

He was among the first lawyers to successfully lead the repossession of aircraft in Russia on behalf of an international lessor and has advised on several landmark aviation cases, including KrasAir, KD Avia and Aeroflot Cargo. Ilia has also represented major Russian and international lessors and banks in restructurings, aviation-related disputes and airline insolvency proceedings.

Ilya is consistently ranked as a leading practitioner by Chambers Europe, The Legal 500 and Pravo.ru-300, and has been recognised by Best Lawyers in Russia since 2012. Clients commend his commercial insight, strong negotiation skills and ability to deliver practical advice in sensitive, high-stakes situations. Over the years, he has advised government-related entities, corporates, banks, leasing companies and airlines on numerous high-profile, innovative and market-leading transactions across the aviation sector.

Recent Cases:

• Advised QNB on its financing of one A350 aircraft for Qatar Airways.
• Advised Investec on its financing of one A350 aircraft for Qatar Airways.
• Advised Silk Avia (Uzbekistan) on:
  • The purchase of 5 ATR-72 aircraft from the manufacturer.
  • The lease of two ATR-72 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital.
• Advised Minsheng Financial Leasing on the sale and lease novation to Bank of America of two A319 aircraft leased to Iberia.
• Advised QNB on its financing of Castlelake, backed by several narrow-body aircraft leased to Qatar Airways.
• Advised AerCap on insurance litigation involving multiple aircraft detained by the Russian Federation.
• Advised a major Middle Eastern airline on its pre-IPO preparations, conducting due diligence on aviation assets, maintenance contracts, alliance agreements, interline agreements, ground handling arrangements, and other material contracts.
• Advised Rolls-Royce on engines detained in the Russian Federation.
• Advised State Transport Leasing Company on Eurobond issuances (total value over $3.5 billion) backed by aviation and shipping assets.
• Advised Aeroflot – Russian Airlines on:
  • Multiple aircraft leases with major lessors, including GECAS, AerCap, ICBC Leasing, SMBC, AWAS, and GTLK Europe.
  • Regulatory compliance, including passenger blacklists, GSM equipment installation, and non-refundable ticket policies.
• Advised VTB Leasing on the sale of its portfolio (50 Boeing 737 aircraft).
• Advised VEB Leasing on PDP and delivery financing for 10 Boeing 777 aircraft leased to Aeroflot – Russian Airlines.
• Advised GTLK Europe on the lease of multiple Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft to Aeroflot – Russian Airlines.
• Advised GECAS on the lease of 17 Embraer E170 aircraft to S7 Airlines.
• Advised Aurora Airlines in litigation against Russian Customs Authorities regarding the import valuation of leased aircraft.
• Advised GECAS on the lease of an Airbus A350 to Aeroflot – Russian Airlines.
• Advised Willis Lease Finance Corporation on multiple aircraft engine leases to Russian operators.
• Advised AirSale Inc. on aircraft and engine leases to various Russian airlines.