An Irish unit of Russian state-owned lessor GTLK seeks $72 million from easyJet over six Airbus jets. easyJet ended their leases in 2022, saying EU sanctions barred it from maintaining or repairing them; it will defend the claim in full.
The dispute centers on whether the sanctions, imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, applied. STLC alleges easyJet abandoned the aircraft in Madrid and Cyprus without maintenance as storage charges accumulated. It argues the restrictions did not apply because the planes were outside Russia and the lessor was based in Ireland.
Three aircraft left at Larnaca airport in Cyprus were later recovered and sold. STLC alleges they fetched at least $32.5 million less than expected because of their condition. The other three remained unsold in Madrid at the time of the report; a court has not determined that easyJet caused the alleged losses.
