easyJet is defending a London High Court claim for at least $72 million over six Airbus A319s leased from an Irish unit linked to Russia’s GTLK, after the aircraft were left in Madrid and Cyprus when leases were terminated in 2022. The case centres on alleged abandonment, storage costs and lost value tied to sanctions-related restrictions after the aircraft were taken out of service.
STLC Europe Eight is seeking damages that Reuters and the Financial Times reported include $36.7 million in unpaid rent and interest, $32.5 million for reduced aircraft value and €2.8 million in airport charges. Three A319s stranded in Cyprus were later recovered and sold, while three in Madrid remain unsold.
easyJet has said it will defend the claim in full. The lessor argues sanctions did not prevent the aircraft from being maintained because they were outside Russia and the leasing entity was Irish, while easyJet contends EU sanctions blocked it from repairing or servicing the jets.