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Amna Arshad, a former senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Transportation, has deep knowledge and experience in aviation issues, having drafted regulations, and led investigations, audits, and enforcement actions. Her government insights and relationships combined with her several years of experience at top US Am Law 100 firms advising all types of global transportation clients—from major U.S. and non-U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, to transportation start-ups, as well as Fortune 200 companies—provide her a unique ability to counsel her clients through their most pressing challenges, including internal or government investigations, litigation/enforcement defense, and compliance counseling. Amna is a trusted leader who works with her clients to craft business-focused legal strategies, manage risk, and resolve complex issues with practical solutions.

Amna’s practice spans across a wide range of matters including but not limited to: enforcement and litigation defense, investigations, antitrust/competition, joint ventures and alliances, airports/slots, route proceedings, rulemakings, international law, consumer protection, economic/licensing matters as well as regulatory due diligence on mergers and acquisitions involving aviation interests. Amna also has experience advising companies that are investing in and creating new aviation technologies, including UAS and eVTOLs, on emerging regulatory issues and trends. Amna counsels clients on matters before all federal agencies that regulate the aviation sector including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), FAA, NTSB, DOJ, and DHS (CBP/TSA).

Amna’s passion to advance diversity is a hallmark of her leadership. She is a member of the governing committee and chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for the ABA Air & Space Law Forum; the 2023-2024 president of the International Aviation Club of Washington; a member of the International Aviation Womens Association; a member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights; and a member of The Columbian Women of The George Washington University.

Amna is a thought leader and frequent author and speaker on a myriad of transportation and aviation legal topics. She has been recognized as “Aviation Lawyer of the Year,” Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” Law360’s “Transportation Rising Star,” and Chambers-ranked.

On May 14, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced significant advancements in drone regulations. FAA’s proposed rules related to Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS) and restricting UAS operations at a fixed site facility have been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) marking a significant step forward. Continue Reading DOT Announces Progress on Key Drone Regulations

On March 27, 2025, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced the launch of an Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force, described as an initiative dedicated to eliminating “anticompetitive state and federal laws and regulations that undermine free market competition.” The creation of the task force follows President Trump’s signing of Executive Order (EO) 14192, which advocates for executive policy that alleviates “unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people.” The EO instructs federal agencies to review all regulations that impose burdens on small businesses and interfere with private enterprise.Continue Reading Department of Justice Launches Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules affecting the aviation industry. Proposed changes aim to generate new operational bandwidths and support the growing advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, most specifically Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, while simultaneously ensuring efficient spectrum use and minimizing interference with any existing spectrum services.Continue Reading The FCC Seeks to Modernize Spectrum Rules Related to Growing Advanced Air Mobility Sector

On March 17, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the agency’s new Administrator. Mr. Bedford’s nomination comes as the FAA faces heightened scrutiny over safety incidents and challenges to the air traffic control workforce. Mr. Bedford will take over the role from Chris Rocheleau, who was named Acting Administrator soon after Mike Whittaker, the former FAA Administrator, stepped down from the position on January 20, 2025.Continue Reading Trump Picks New FAA Administrator

Crowell & Moring proudly attended the IATA World Legal Symposium in Shanghai, China, themed “Beyond the Chicago Convention: The New and the Unresolved.” The Chicago Convention, held in 1944, laid the foundational framework for international aviation law, marking an historic milestone in global aviation cooperation. Our team engaged with industry leaders and clients in a