Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) on its agreement to divest a 5% equity stake in ST Aerospace (Guangzhou) Aviation Services Company Limited (STA Guangzhou), a joint venture with Guangdong Airport Authority, to Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

Upon completion, which is subject to customary closing conditions, ST Aerospace, the aerospace arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, and Guangdong Airport Authority will own 44% and 51% of STA Guangzhou respectively, while Japan Airlines will become a strategic partner of the joint venture with a 5% interest in STA Guangzhou.

"Leveraging off the expertise of our leading aviation practice, we were pleased to be able to help ST Aerospace with this project," said George Cyriac, partner at the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance. "This transaction perfectly demonstrates our firm's ability to support clients with multi-jurisdiction law advice by delivering both Singapore and Chinese law elements of the deal, with the support of our colleagues in Guangzhou."

STA Guangzhou, set up in 2014, is an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) station located within Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China. Having Japan Airlines as strategic partner will enhance STAG's standing in safety and quality, strengthen its foundation and be better positioned for greater growth.

The Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance team was led by Singapore corporate partner George Cyriac. In Singapore, it also included consultant Jack Koh and corporate associates Mark Stephens and Sheetal Sandhu. In Guangzhou, the team also comprised partners Zoe Zhou and Kehua Zhang from Stephenson Harwood's associated Chinese firm, Wei Tu.