Drew M. Derco

Member

Overview

Drew Derco counsels U.S. and foreign airlines on aviation regulatory and policy matters before a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He handles all phases of the airline start-up process and assists foreign airlines with the launch of U.S. service, both for first time entrants into the U.S. marketplace and for existing carriers already serving the U.S. He also assists U.S. and foreign carrier clients in obtaining permit, exemption, and code-share authority from DOT’s Office of International Aviation and negotiates airport lease and use agreements.

Drew specializes in providing practical and creative solutions for clients and offers broad based experience with DOT’s Consumer Protection regime and its regulation prohibiting discrimination against passengers with disabilities in air travel (Part 382). He also advises clients on numerous other U.S. and international regulatory compliance issues, including UAS, legislation, compliance with Office of Foreign Asset Controls sanctions, import/export controls, antitrust, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the transportation of hazardous materials, and cargo security matters. In addition, he supports clients in preparing for and defending litigation, investigations, audits, and major enforcement actions before DOT, TSA, and CBP.

In addition to his work representing airlines, Drew provides regulatory advice to clients in the defense, law enforcement, and technology sectors.

Drew is actively involved with the American Bar Association’s Forum on Air & Space Law, serving on the Scholarship Committee and as the organization’s co-membership chair. He also serves as co-membership chair of the International Aviation Club, based in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining the firm, he advised members of the defense industry on both domestic and international regulatory compliance issues, licensing, and import/export controls.

Representative Matters

Successfully defended several foreign carrier clients in Department of Transportation enforcement actions for alleged violations of DOT’s tarmac delay rule at multiple U.S. airports, including Washington-Dulles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. In each of the applicable cases, DOT completed its investigation without issuance of a penalty.
Assisted numerous new entrant carriers in initiating passenger service to the U.S. market, including operations to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Miami International Airport.
Assisted European carrier in complex negotiations with a U.S. airport authority concerning the client’s alleged overpayment of service provider fees, obligation to hold leasehold space, and other contractual obligations related to the client’s operations to destination.
Filed comments to DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking “Transparency of Airline Ancillary Fees and Other Consumer Protection Issues” on behalf of several foreign carrier clients.
Assisted passenger carrier in complex review and analysis of the Airport Use and Lease Agreement to determine whether airline should continue serving applicable market.
Provide routine advice to clients on numerous Part 382 compliance issues, as well as on compliance with DOT consumer protection rules and proper procedures for responding to consumer complaints.
Conducted in-depth initial and recurrent training on DOT’s disability regulation, 14 C.F.R. Part 382 for several European and Asian carriers.

Spotlight:

Spotlight on . . . Drew Derco

Professional Affiliations

Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Young Lawyers Conference
American Bar Association Forum on Air & Space Law, Co-Membership Chair, Scholarship Committee Member, and Former Young Lawyer Liaison

Awards and Recognition:

Selected for inclusion in 2021 edition of Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Transportation: Aviation Regulatory
Selected for inclusion in 2018 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as “Up and Coming” in Transportation: Aviation: Regulatory
Selected for inclusion in 2016 and 2017 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as an “Associate to Watch in Transportation: Aviation: Regulatory”
Selected for inclusion in the Legal Media Group Expert Guide: Rising Stars 2015 – 2019 (Aviation); Nominee for “Best in Aviation” in 2018 and 2019.
Selected for inclusion in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2017-2020 & 2022.

News and Insights

Publications

“Negotiated Rulemaking in the Context of Part 382: A Worthy Alternative to Traditional Rulemaking or an Impossible Dream?” , The Air & Space Lawyer, July 2016.
“Licensing Requirements for U.S. and Foreign Air Carriers,” co-author, Aviation Regulation in the United States (ABA Book Publishing, 2014).
“Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel,” co-author, Aviation Regulation in the United States (ABA Book Publishing, 2014).
“Airlines Need Protections Too” , The Air & Space Lawyer, May 2013.
“ATF Ruling 2010-10: ATF’s Evolving Policy on Firearms Manufacturing,” Small Arms Review, May 2011.
Contributor to Eckert Seamans’ Aviation Blog (http://blog.aviation.eckertseamans.com/).

Legal Updates

“Aviation Regulatory Update – February 2023,” February 2023.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – January 2023,” January 2023.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – December 2022,” January 2023.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – November 2022,” December 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – October 2022,” October 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – September 2022,” September 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – August 2022,” August 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – July 2022,” July 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – June 2022,” June 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – April 2022,” April 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – March 2022,” March 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – February 2022,” February 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – January 2022,” January 2022.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – December 2021,” December 2021.
“CDC ISSUES AMENDED ORDER REQUIRING INBOUND TRAVELERS PROVIDE NEGATIVE COVID-19 TESTS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DEPARTURE,” December 3, 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – November 2021,” November 30, 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – October 2021,” October 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – September 2021,” September 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – August 2021,” September 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – July 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update August 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – June 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update July 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – May 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update June 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – April 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update May 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – March 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update March 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – February 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update March 1, 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – January 2021,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update February 1, 2021.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – December 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update December 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Update – November 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update November 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – October 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Alert October 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – September 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update September 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – August 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update August 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – July 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update July 31, 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – June 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update July 1, 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – May 2020,” May 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Update for the Weeks of April 13 and April 20, 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Update April 13 & 20, 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – March 2020,” March 26, 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – February 2020,” Eckert Seamans' Aviation Regulatory Alert February 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – January 2020,” January 2020.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert – December 2019,” December 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert,” November 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” September 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” August 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” July 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” June 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” May 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” April 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” March 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” February 2019.
“Aviation Regulatory Update,” January 2019.
“2018 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2019.
“2017 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2018.
“2016 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” December 2016.
“2015 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2016.
“2014 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2015.
“2013 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2014.
“2012 Year in Review: Aviation Regulatory Update Digest,” January 2013.
“Aviation Regulatory Alert,” October 2019.

Speaking Engagements

“Practitioner Night,” guest speaker on aviation law, Georgetown Law.
“The Shifting Security Landscape at Airports after Terrorist Attacks in the Non-Secure Areas,” panelist, International Air Transport Association’s Legal Symposium 2017, Washington, D.C., January 2017.
“Aviation & Transportation Infrastructure: Performance & Prospects,” 2017 Legislative Forum, State Capital Group, Washington, D.C., January 2017.
U.S. DOT Compliance Training for European airline, Las Vegas, February 2017.