Anna Anatolitou joins Bird & Bird aviation practice in UAE

Bird & Bird announces that Anna Anatolitou joined the company’s UAE practice as a partner.

Anna Anatolitou joined Bird & Bird, an international commercial law firm, at the end of December 2013 to spearhead the firm’s Middle East aviation and dispute resolution practices.

Anatolitou was previously general counsel at the Air Arabia Group and prior to that with Norton Rose Fulbright. She has experience as an aviation and dispute resolution lawyer, both in private practice and in industry. She has acted for a range of aviation clients including airlines, insurers, manufacturers, airports, MROs, ground agents, lessors and financiers.

“This is an exciting time to be joining Bird & Bird’s Middle East Practice,” said Anatolitou. “I have observed with great interest the impressive growth of the firm’s global reputation in both aviation and dispute resolution over the past few years.  The Middle East is currently experiencing enormous growth in both practice areas.”

Anatolitou added: “As exhibited during the recent Dubai Airshow, aviation activity in the region is fast eclipsing other regions. Dubai International Airport is now the world’s second busiest airport and by 2015 it is due to overtake London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport.”

Paul Briggs, Bird & Bird’s co-head of the Aviation Group, said: “Now Anna has joined, we have practical “touching the metal” capability in the Middle East to advise airlines, insurers, MROs, lessors and investors on all legal issues. Our International Aviation Sector Group has grown considerably over the past ten years and will continue to keep growing.”