EasyJet sued for $72 million over stranded Airbus jets
A Russian-owned lessor is suing easyJet for at least $72 million, alleging the airline wrongfully abandoned six leased Airbus A319s after citing sanctions
British low-cost carrier easyJet is facing a High Court lawsuit seeking a minimum of $72 million from a Russian-owned aircraft lessor. The claim concerns six leased Airbus A319 jets that easyJet allegedly abandoned after terminating their leases, citing sanctions against Russia.
The company bringing the suit is STLC Europe Eight Leasing Limited, an Irish subsidiary of Russia's state-owned GTLK. The lessor acquired the six aircraft by March 2018, with easyJet's leases already active. Ireland's High Court ordered the parent company, GTLK Europe, into liquidation on May 31, 2023, and the lawsuit against easyJet is part of the liquidators' effort to recover funds for creditors.
The financial breakdown of the claim is as follows:
| Claim Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unpaid rent and interest | At least $36.7 million |
| Lost aircraft value | $32.5 million |
| Unpaid airport charges | €2.8 million |
The Sanctions Dispute
EasyJet has stated that European Union sanctions on Russia prevented it from maintaining or repairing the aircraft. STLC Europe Eight disagrees with this position, arguing that the planes were located outside Russia and the leasing company itself was based in Ireland. The EU adopted broad aviation sanctions on February 25, 2022, which restricted aircraft, spare parts, equipment supplies, and related services to Russia.
The parent company, GTLK, was added to the EU sanctions list on April 8, 2022. These measures froze its assets and restricted payments. Restrictions can extend to companies owned by a sanctioned parent, meaning GTLK Europe's Irish registration did not automatically exempt it. However, an Irish court ruled in July 2023 that independent liquidators controlled the Irish companies' assets, which removed an EU sanctions obstacle to selling them.
Aircraft Condition and Fate
The six aircraft had been grounded well before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Citing Cirium fleet data, Bloomberg reported in April 2022 that each jet was more than 11 years old and had been in storage since March 2020-the start of the COVID-19 collapse in air travel. EasyJet confirmed the lease terminations to Bloomberg at that time.
Three of the jets were stored in Cyprus and were later recovered and sold by the liquidators. The liquidators state the aircraft's poor condition lowered their sale prices. The remaining three aircraft, stored in Madrid, have not been sold.
EasyJet's Response and Next Steps
EasyJet has said it will defend the lawsuit in full. The case was filed in London's High Court and concerns jets left in Madrid and Cyprus. The airline began flying in November 1995, founded by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and grew into one of Europe's leading low-cost carriers.
