Ellen H. Fontanella

Ellen H. Fontanella represents airline clients in connection with the acquisition, leasing, and financing of air transport and corporate aircraft, engines, and related equipment. She advises clients on a day‑to‑day basis, guiding transactions from structuring and negotiation through documentation and closing. Her experience includes operating leases, secured loans, pre‑delivery payment financings, and credit facilities provided by commercial lenders, insurance companies, international development finance institutions, and export credit agencies, including the U.S. EXIM Bank, BNDES, Export Development Canada, and European ECAs. Ellen has represented airlines in numerous restructurings both inside and outside of bankruptcy.

Drawing on her background as in‑house counsel at a Brazilian airline, Ellen brings a practical, commercially oriented approach to complex transactions, advising clients with a strong understanding of operational priorities, risk management, and business objectives.

Ellen regularly leads negotiations for financings, operating leases, and multi‑aircraft purchase agreements with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, as well as related engine purchase and support agreements. In addition to executing complex cross‑border transactions, she provides practical, business‑focused advice on internal approvals and ongoing commercial matters. She also supervises and coordinates Latin American outside counsel on behalf of airline clients, ensuring consistent execution across jurisdictions.

Ellen's Practice

Representative Matters

• Representation of one of the leading airlines in the Latin American aviation market in the acquisition and financing of Boeing 737 family aircraft, including through Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) structures, and in transactions involving aircraft lessors and financing parties.
• Representation of one of the largest airline groups in Latin America in complex financing transactions relating to Airbus A320 family aircraft, involving lessors and financiers.
• Representation of one of the largest airline groups in Latin America in intra‑group aircraft subleasing arrangements, including negotiations with lessors and financing parties.
• Representation of domestic and international airlines and leasing companies in negotiations with aircraft and engine manufacturers and financial institutions.
• Representation of a leading airline based in Mexico in the negotiation of operating lease transactions with leading aircraft and engine lessors.
• Representation of a leading airline based in Mexico in connection with the negotiation of Airbus A320 family aircraft purchase agreements with a global leader in the aerospace industry.
• Representation of purchasers and operators in connection with the purchase, financing, and leasing of corporate aircraft.
• Representation of Latin American financial institutions in connection with asset‑backed and aircraft‑backed financing transactions.
• Representation of airlines in numerous restructurings, both in‑court and out‑of‑court, including complex cross‑border restructuring and insolvency matters.