British Airways has launched a competition for new long-haul aircraft, issuing tender documents to aircraft and engine manufacturers. Roger Whipp, head of Wragge & Co's Aviation Team, is advising on procuring the aircraft engines and other key components. Slaughter and May is advising British Airways on the procurement of the airframes.

Roger Whipp said: "This is big, strategic investment that will provide British Airways with a strong, updated fleet for the future. Wragge & Co has worked with BA for a number of years and understands its business and the aviation sector. This experience, matched by excellent procurement expertise, means we can provide robust, commercial advice."

Maria Da Cunha, British Airways Legal Director, said: "Wragge & Co has proven expertise in the field and, with the added commercial experience of Roger Whipp, was an obvious choice to carry out this important work on our behalf."

British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines, employing 49,490 people and generating revenue of £8.5 billion in the year to March 2006. Wragge & Co has a longstanding full-service relationship with the airline. In 2005, the firm advised British Airways on a £1.5 billion engine maintenance contract with GE. The ten-year agreement covers maintenance on RB211-524 and CFM56 aircraft engines.

Wragge & Co's sector-focused Aviation Team comprises experts from the firm's core teams. It brings together specialists in areas as diverse as aircraft maintenance contracts, complex IT and outsourcing projects and regulatory law with one common purpose – delivering excellent legal advice and pragmatic commercial solutions to a complex and fast-moving industry. Roger Whipp joined Wragge & Co as a director from British Airways' in-house legal team in April 2006, having spent 10 years with the airline.

Sector highlights include advising Malaysia Airlines on a £53 million passenger service systems outsourcing project with SITA and ongoing work with the Ministry of Defence on its £3 billion plus CVF aircraft carrier project.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 213 2397, Alexa Highfield on +44 (0)121 213 2396 or Matthew Purcell on +44 (0)121 213 2360

This press release may contain information of general interest about current legal issues, but does not give legal advice.