Rachel Thomasen

Rachel Thomasen is an aviation finance partner with a combination of deep technical expertise and in-house lessor experience at two of the world’s leading aircraft and helicopter leasing platforms.

Rachel has extensive experience acting for lessors and financiers (debt and equity) on cross-border asset finance and leasing transactions, including full and limited recourse operating lease financings, export credit financings, portfolio acquisitions, sale and leaseback transactions, tax leases, finance leases, operating leases, restructurings and aircraft repossession. Prior to joining SGR, she served as a Senior Associate at Clifford Chance, working out of the London and Hong Kong offices. Previous to that, Rachel practiced with other law firms in London, Singapore, and Paris. Additionally, she has completed secondments in Dublin with Avolon and Milestone Aviation.

Rachel's Practice

Representative Matters

• Advising the world’s largest regional aircraft lessor on its debt restructuring implemented through a pre-arranged U.S. chapter 11 process. Winner of “Overall Deal of the Year” at the Airfinance Journal Awards 2022.
• Advising a syndicate of lenders in connection with Avolon’s US$660m commercial secured loan facility for 17 aircraft. Winner of “Bank Loan Deal of the Year” at the Airfinance Journal Awards 2022.
• Acted for a global aircraft lessor in relation to the US$1.2 billion solvent recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic Airways.
• Advising an international bank in connection with the sale of the upside rights in respect of four A380 aircraft on lease to Emirates.
• Advising a regional aircraft lessor on an E-Jet Passenger to Freight (P2F) conversion agreement with Embraer.
• Advising multiple lessors and financiers (debt and equity) in connection with airline U.S. chapter 11 proceedings.
• Advising on the creation of a Hong Kong-based leasing platform, a joint venture between a Japanese bank and a PRC insurance company.
• Advising various leading aircraft leasing companies in connection with financing transactions, aircraft leases and portfolio sales and acquisitions.
• Advising a leading Irish-based leasing company in connection with the world’s first operating lease through the Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS).