easyJet is facing a lawsuit for at least $72 million over six Airbus aircraft allegedly left abandoned after lease terminations linked to Russia-related sanctions. The claim has been brought by STLC Europe Eight, an Irish unit of Russian state-owned aircraft lessor GTLK Europe, in London’s High Court, with the disputed jets reported at airports in Madrid and Cyprus.
The case centres on aircraft leased by easyJet that were returned in 2022 after the airline said EU sanctions prevented maintenance or repairs. GTLK disputes that position and alleges the aircraft were left without proper upkeep while storage and maintenance costs accumulated. Three jets stored at Larnaca in Cyprus were later recovered and sold, but reportedly fetched at least $32.5 million less than expected because of their condition. The three aircraft in Madrid have not yet been sold.