Member Profile

Catherine has over 20 years experience working for the Aviation sector.

From 2003 until 2016 she has been the co-head of a global law firm’s international Aviation Group. Since 1 January 2017 she launched a new niche firm called “Erkelens Law” which focusses on the Aviation sector.

Catherine has developed a strong client base and leading reputation working for companies operating in or dealing with the Aviation & Aerospace sector, and was responsible for several landmark litigations with international impact.

Catherine’s work includes regulatory, commercial and contentious advice in relation to airport economic regulation, airport charges, groundhandling, air traffic control, privatization of airports and ATM, security and safety, the relationship between airlines, airports and other stakeholders, environmental matters, the use of new technologies in the Aviation and Aerospace sectors.

The practice also deals with aircraft leasing contracts, chartering contracts, aircraft maintenance contracts, assistance related to brokerage contracts, aircraft repossession work, and related dispute resolution.

The practice covers regulatory and commercial work related to drones.

Finally, the practice has a particular focus on technology related issues in the Aviation sector, including privacy and data protection matters.

Catherine Erkelens and the team represent and assist airlines and more generally aircraft operators, as well as airline associations, groundhandling service providers, airport services providers, airports, governmental bodies, technology service providers, communications services providers, charter companies, aircraft brokerage and consulting companies, aircraft manufacturers. The firm also works with the drones sector. The firm assists its clients locally as well as at an EU wide level , and also assists with international Aviation law.

Experience also includes assistance to authorities such as the EC, other EU bodies, international organizations.

Catherine led a.o. the “Zaventem tax case” on airport charges, and other litigation related to: security charges, passenger service charges, the use of airport infrastructure, the liberalisation of the groundhandling market, air traffic control, commission for travel agents.

The team publishes regularly, a.o. on drones & data protection; other recent publications in 2017: drones (Getting The Deal Through); data protection and air carriers (Euromoney’s Expert Guides). Expected: book review on airport competition.

Catherine and the practice’s members often speak at conferences (latest conference subjects of 2017: financing and airports (Malta); Aviation & Brexit (Rome and The Hague); drones (Brussels). Still for 2017: airport charges (Brussels); airports law (Leiden); chair of panel on airport infrastructure at EALA conference (Lisbon).

Catherine’s Aviation practice has been ranked “Tier 1” by EMEA Legal 500 for many years.

Catherine received many awards:

She was awarded “Best in Aviation” by Euromoney’s European Women in Business Law in 2014, and again in 2015. She was awarded the “Client Choice” Award 2016 for Aviation, Belgium, and again in 2017.