Yes, but it needs careful planning. The lessor's rights depend on the lease, the governing law and the security package, and practical recovery depends on cooperation from the airline, the regulator and airport authorities in Bangladesh. Where the airline resists, the lessor may need interim orders from a Bangladesh court to protect the aircraft, prevent its use and secure records. Deregistration and export require regulatory steps and clearances. We advise lessors before and after termination, prepare court applications where necessary and coordinate with foreign counsel handling the lease proceedings. Early preparation saves time and cost when default occurs.

Bangladesh became a party to the Montreal Convention 1999, which entered into force for Bangladesh in early 2023. The Convention applies to international carriage between states that are parties, and to certain round trips. It sets carrier liability for death, injury, delay and baggage and cargo damage, with limits for some claims and a two-year period for bringing an action. Whether it applies depends on the ticket and routing, while domestic flights and some other claims are governed by national law. We advise carriers, insurers and passengers on which regime applies, starting with the ticket and itinerary.

Most begin with engagement directly with the regulator: responding to findings, providing documents and seeking a review or reconsideration. Many issues are resolved at that stage, especially where safety concerns can be addressed through corrective action plans. If the authority makes a decision that is unlawful, procedurally unfair or disproportionate, the affected operator or individual can bring a writ petition before the High Court Division, sometimes with an application for interim relief. Because operating certificates and licences are critical, timing is important, and challenges must be prepared quickly with a full record. We prepare that record carefully.

Usually the law chosen in the contract, which in international maintenance and parts agreements is often English law or the law of the provider's home country. Many contracts include arbitration clauses or exclusive jurisdiction clauses. Where the work was done in Bangladesh or the parts are located here, Bangladesh law may still matter for issues such as liens, retention of possession and enforcement. Technical evidence about workmanship, airworthiness and records is usually decisive. We help clients assess the contract, preserve technical evidence and choose the most effective forum. Early preservation of components and records is especially important.

Under the Montreal Convention, passengers on international flights can claim damages for loss caused by delay, subject to liability limits and the carrier's defence that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage. Bangladesh does not have a passenger rights regime equivalent to the European Union's fixed compensation rules, although those rules may apply to some flights to or from the European Union. Airlines' conditions of carriage also set out refund and rerouting rights. We advise passengers and airlines on claims, and on complaints made through regulatory or consumer channels. Each claim depends on its facts.

Yes, in principle. Bangladesh is a party to the New York Convention, and foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Arbitration Act 2001, subject to limited grounds for refusal such as invalidity of the agreement, lack of proper notice, excess of jurisdiction or conflict with public policy. Enforcement against state-owned entities can raise additional issues, including immunity arguments in some contexts. Foreign court judgments are treated differently and may require a fresh suit. Lessors and suppliers should therefore consider arbitration clauses carefully when contracting with Bangladeshi counterparties. We help draft clauses that work in practice.

Preparation is essential. Airlines should have an emergency response plan that covers family assistance, communications, preservation of evidence and cooperation with accident investigators, alongside legal planning for claims, insurance notifications and regulatory reporting. Insurers usually manage claims, but the airline still needs independent legal advice. Claims may be brought in several countries, depending on passengers' nationality and residence. We help airlines and insurers plan for incidents and, if one occurs, coordinate the legal response in Bangladesh and with counsel abroad. Lease and financing documents should also be checked for incident notification duties, since late notice can create default risks.

Technical records are often decisive: maintenance logs, airworthiness certificates, engine and component histories, flight data, crew records and regulatory correspondence. In lease disputes, delivery and return documents, inspection reports and payment records matter. For passenger and cargo claims, tickets, air waybills, baggage tags and timely written complaints are critical, because time limits are strict. We work with clients to secure this evidence early, often with independent engineers and surveyors, so it can be relied on in negotiation, arbitration or court. A preservation instruction should go to staff and contractors at once.