Lawsuit Overview
EasyJet plc is being sued in the London High Court by STLC Europe Eight, an Irish subsidiary of the Russian state‑owned aircraft lessor GTLK Europe, for at least $72 million. The claim relates to six Airbus aircraft that EasyJet allegedly abandoned after terminating the lease agreements in 2022.
Background of Lease Termination
In April 2022 EasyJet notified STLC that it was ending the leases because European Union sanctions, according to the airline, prevented any maintenance or repair work on the jets while they were located outside Russia. STLC disputes this justification, arguing that the sanctions do not apply to aircraft stored outside Russian territory and that the lessor, operating from Ireland, is not subject to the restrictions.
Aircraft Locations and Financial Impact
Three of the six jets were stored at Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus. These aircraft were later recovered and sold, but the sale price was at least $32.5 million lower than the amount anticipated, reflecting the deteriorated condition of the planes. The remaining three aircraft are still parked at airports in Madrid, Spain, and have not yet been sold.
Legal Claim
The lawsuit seeks recovery of storage fees accrued while the aircraft remained at the Madrid and Cyprus airports, as well as compensation for the loss in value of the three jets sold from Cyprus. The total claim amounts to a minimum of $72 million.