Denton Wilde Sapte's Abu Dhabi office is losing its sole aviation partner with the departure of Owain Jones.

Jones is set to leave Dentons at the beginning of 2009 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot, after 12 years with the top 20 City law firm.

He was seconded to the Abu Dhabi office in 2006 where he has advised on aviation and asset financing deals, including fleet renewals for airlines such as Air Canada and Lan Chile.

His departure will leave Dentons' core aviation team with seven partners - with the bulk located in the firm's London head office.

Banking and finance co-chief, Serge Sergiou, said: "Though we will be sad to see Owain leave us, I am glad that he is following his long-held ambition to qualify as a commercial pilot."

The news comes as London corporate and insurance partner George Sandars is set to move to Muscat.

Sandars will join the Oman office in October as the firm moves to bolster its Middle East presence.

Earlier this month, newly-promoted dispute resolution partner Paul Stothard moved to Dubai to head the office's international arbitration practice, while in June Dentons took on the Kuwait arm of US firm Bryan Cave.