Expertise

Suraya has a broad range of international asset finance and leasing experience, particularly in aviation and rail. She advises airlines, banks, lessors and other financial institutions. Her focus is on cross border financing and leasing matters and structured transactions with an emphasis on transactions involving the aviation sector and Islamic finance.

Prior to re-joining private practice, Suraya was in-house counsel at Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi, UAE for over four years advising the Treasury and Fleet Planning teams on a range of asset financings, corporate projects, Islamic financings and unsecured financings. She advised Etihad Airways on their first sustainable financing in 2019 and completed the UN Introduction to Sustainable Finance certification in 2024. She has experience working with the UAE Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the International Registry. She also advised Etihad Airways subsidiary companies and partner airlines on a wide range of commercial matters.

In 2016 Suraya advised Etihad Airways on a transaction which was awarded Sale and Leaseback deal of the Year by Airfinance Journal.

In 2019 Suraya advised Etihad Airways on the first ADGM asset finance transaction which was awarded Middle East & Africa Debt Deal of the Year by Airline Economics.

She also has extensive experience in Islamic Finance having previously trained with the Islamic Finance team in London and Bahrain at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and in 2017 she obtained the Islamic Finance Qualification. In 2019 Suraya advised on the first double exposure Murabaha facility for Etihad Airways.

In 2020, Suraya completed the MBA Essentials certification at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

• Advising each of Flyr and Flybe airlines on the delivery and leasing of aircraft and engines, including the application of the Cape Town Convention and aviation authority requirements.
• Advising a Leasing company on lease terminations, deregistration and repossession of aircraft in multiple jurisdictions. 
• Advising Etihad Airways on over 25 aircraft sale and leaseback and secured financing transactions (including Islamic financing structures and Jolcos) for A380, B777 Freighter and B787 aircraft.
• Advising Etihad Airways on innovative aircraft finance structures incorporating Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) and cash advance sale and leaseback finance structure for aircraft acquisitions.
• Advising a UK bank in relation to the financing and delivery of a corporate jet.
• Advising a Middle Eastern bank in relation to the financing and delivery of a commercial aircraft for a Dubai-based airline.
• Advising a European bank on the unwinding and restructuring of the financing for 6 helicopters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advising a German bank in relation to the financing and delivery of two commercial aircraft for a UK airline.
• Advising IndiGo airline on its financing and commercial contracts relating to the financing of 10 aircraft.
• Advising KLM airline on its Jolco financing and commercial contracts relating to the financing of 8 aircraft.