British airline easyJet has had a $72 million claim filed against it in the UK’s High Court. The claim has been made by the liquidators of STLC Europe Eight Leasing Limited, the Irish division of the state-owned Russian leasing enterprise, GTLK – State Transport Leasing. The liquidators allege that easyJet did not properly maintain the fleet of six Airbus A319-100 aircraft that it leased from STLC.
How Did We Get Here?
EasyJet was midway through a lease agreement with STLC when the Russian state launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
This led to a number of governments and intergovernmental organisations implementing sanctions against state-owned Russian companies sanctions against state-owned Russian companies.
This includes the European Union’s (EU) decision to introduce sanctions against GTLK in April 2022, which prevented STLC from operating in Ireland, or anywhere else in the EU.
STLC was placed into liquidation by the Irish High Court in May 2023, with liquidators appointed to recover any money owed to the company.
The liquidators believe this includes $72 million owed by easyJet, and are taking legal action to force the airline to pay.
What do SLTC and EasyJet Disagree On?
Of the $72 million claim: $36.7 million relates to easyJet’s unpaid rent and subsequent interest payments, $3.3 is based on airport charges, and $32.5 million is based on estimations of lost aircraft value.
The liquidators claim that easyJet did not take sufficient measures to repair and maintain their leased fleet of A319-100s. EasyJet however believe that EU sanctions prevent them from doing so.
A spokesperson has said that the airline “intends to defend the claim in full”.
The liquidators have recovered all six of leased jets, with a trio recovered at Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus, being sold at what liquidators believe was significantly less than their original value.
The other three jets were recovered from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), and are yet to be sold.
No date has yet been set for the hearing, which will take place at the UK’s High Court in London.
How have EU sanctions impacted the aviation industry? Do you think easyJet should have to pay the liquidators? Let us know what you think in the comments.
