EasyJet dragged into £53 million court fight over jets stranded by Russia sanctions

easyJet is facing a High Court fight over six Airbus jets that were stranded after Russia-related sanctions complicated lease decisions. STLC Europe Eight, the Irish leasing arm of Russia’s state-linked aircraft owner GTLK, filed a claim against easyJet seeking at least $72 million. The liquidators allege the budget carrier grounded six leased Airbus narrowbodies in Madrid and Cyprus in 2022, then left them sitting without upkeep while storage charges grew. The dispute traces to the post-invasion period: EU aviation sanctions began on 25 February 2022, and GTLK was added to the sanctions list on 8 April 2022. easyJet says it terminated the leases because servicing and repairs became impossible. STLC’s liquidators argue the restrictions never applied because the jets didn’t involve Russia and the lessor was Irish, seeking damages including unpaid rent, interest, depreciation, and airport fees tied to the six aircraft.