STLC Europe Eight, an Irish leasing entity linked to GTLK Europe, has sued easyJet in London’s High Court for at least $72 million over six Airbus aircraft caught up in sanctions-related lease terminations. The claim centres on A320-family jets left in Madrid and Larnaca after easyJet ended the leases in April 2022, when EU sanctions disrupted the airline’s ability to continue operating and maintaining the aircraft.
The damages claim includes about $36.7 million in unpaid lease payments and interest, $32.5 million for alleged loss of aircraft value and roughly €2.8 million in airport charges. Three aircraft recovered from Larnaca were later sold, but the lessor argues they fetched less than expected because of their condition, while the Madrid aircraft have not yet been sold and could increase the claim. EasyJet plans to fully defend the case, which tests how sanctions affected lease termination, maintenance obligations and liability for parked aircraft after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.