LONDON – EasyJet (U2) is facing a legal claim worth at least $72 million after an aircraft leasing company accused the British low-cost carrier of abandoning 6 Airbus A320 family aircraft during a dispute linked to Western sanctions against Russia.
The case has been filed in the London High Court and centers on aircraft left at airports in Madrid and Cyprus in 2022.
The aircraft were leased from STLC Europe Eight, an Irish leasing company linked to Russia’s State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK).
Three aircraft were left at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), while three others remained at Larnaca International Airport (LCA) in Cyprus after easyJet ended the leases, citing sanctions-related restrictions on maintaining and repairing the jets.
easyJet $72 Million Lawsuit
The dispute began after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, prompting Western governments to impose extensive sanctions on Russian companies and financial institutions.
GTLK, which controlled the leasing company, was among the entities affected by those measures.
easyJet notified the lessor in April 2022 that it was terminating the aircraft leases. The airline argued that European Union sanctions prevented it from continuing maintenance and repair work on the aircraft while they remained linked to a sanctioned Russian parent.
STLC disputes that position and argues that the sanctions did not prevent the leases from continuing because the aircraft were outside Russia and the leasing company was incorporated in Ireland.
The lessor’s liquidators now claim that easyJet still had responsibilities toward the aircraft after ending the agreements.
Six Airbus Jets Left Unattended at Airports
According to the claim, easyJet stopped maintaining the 6 aircraft after abandoning them at the two airports. The aircraft remained parked for an extended period, while storage and parking costs continued to accumulate.
Three aircraft at Larnaca were eventually recovered by the lessor and sold. However, the claimant says the aircraft generated at least $32.5 million less than their expected value because of their deteriorated condition.
The other 3 aircraft remain in Madrid and have not yet been recovered or sold, adding another layer to the financial dispute.
The lawsuit seeks $36.7 million in outstanding rent and related amounts, $32.5 million for aircraft depreciation, and €2.8 million in unpaid airport parking fees.
EasyJet Prepares Legal Defense Against Claims
easyJet has said it intends to defend the claim fully but has not provided detailed comments on the ongoing litigation.
The case is part of a wider group of aviation disputes that emerged after sanctions disrupted aircraft leasing arrangements involving Russian lessors and European airlines.
The legal challenge also comes as easyJet moves toward a change in ownership. Apollo Management X, backed by Apollo Global Management, agreed to a recommended acquisition of easyJet at £7.15 per share, valuing the company at approximately £5.7 billion, PYOK reported.
The takeover followed competing interest from Castlelake, which had proposed £6.90 per share before Apollo submitted its higher offer.
EasyJet’s corporate disclosures now identify the Apollo transaction as an offer rather than merely an agreement in principle, although the acquisition process remains subject to its formal conditions and completion requirements.
For easyJet, the aircraft lawsuit therefore creates an additional financial and legal issue as the airline advances toward its proposed ownership transition.
The outcome of the High Court case could determine whether the carrier or the lessor ultimately bears the costs associated with the six stranded Airbus aircraft.
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