Maples Group Authorised as Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS) Trustee

Introduced by the AWG in 2020, GATS provides a secure, live and searchable electronic ledger displaying details of ownership of and security interests in GATS trusts.  GATS is designed to facilitate and promote secure and transparent trading and financing of aircraft equipment by introducing efficiencies into the process of leasing and trading aircraft with the aim of reducing the burdens on lessees, lessors and financiers, while also protecting the rights of all parties involved.

Having introduced its Irish owner trustee offering last year, the GATS trustee authorisation is a natural complement to the Maples Group’s existing aviation offering and further enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive, best-in-class solutions.  GATS builds on the growing trend of holding aircraft equipment in trusts with bare legal title to the aircraft equipment being held by a professional trustee on behalf of a beneficiary bearing the economic risks and benefits of ownership of the aircraft equipment.  In addition, GATS features standard form transfer documents that are executed electronically through the GATS system, which helps to reduce the complexity and time cost involved in the trading of aircraft.

“With more than two decades in the industry and as one of the leading aviation service providers globally, we recognise the benefits that GATS offers to parties trading and financing aircraft.  We are proud to have received this authorisation from the AWG and are committed to supporting the ongoing modernisation and advancement of the industry,” said Stephen O’Donnell, Global Head of Fiduciary at the Maples Group.  “The ability to act as a GATS trustee reaffirms our position as a market leader in the space and underscores our promise to providing cutting-edge solutions for clients operating in the aviation sector.”