We are representing the Estonian startup airline Marabu Airlines in a significant legal dispute with the Estonian national airline Nordic Aviation Group, relating to the Estonian aviation market.
Nordica violates ACMI agreement
In 2023, Marabu and Nordica entered into an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) agreement, under which Nordica promised to use three Airbus A320 aircraft for operation. According to the agreement, Nordica was expected to operate scheduled flights, but Nordica failed to perform or delayed approximately 500 flights, thus failing to comply with the ACMI agreement. Marabu incurred significant damages due to Nordica’s breach of the ACMI agreement, amounting to approximately 9.5 million euros.
Groundbreaking legal case in the Estonian market
This is a unique case that has not previously arisen in the Estonian market or in legal practice. It encompasses significant legal issues affecting aviation practice, including the responsibilities of the parties under the ACMI agreement, and the right to claim EU261 compensation from an operator. The case is further complicated by an extensive volume of evidence and flight data, alongside various intricacies inherent to the aviation industry regarding the storage and presentation of such data.
Marabu is an Estonian leisure airline offering a variety of routes, in particular from Hamburg and Munich to Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, etc. The airline is headquartered in Tallinn and operating at Hamburg and Munich airports in Germany. Marabus’s principal activity is the air transport of passengers. Nordica Airlines is the Estonian national airline, and has partnerships to other European airlines.
Our services and client team
We have been representing Marabu in negotiations with Nordica and court proceedings. Our client team is led by senior associate Marcus Niin and supported by partner Carri Ginter.
