UK court tells VietJet not to intercept export of repossessed jets

A UK judge has told VietJet to refrain from interfering in the export of four A321 aircraft being repossessed by leasing company FW Aviation (FWA), Reuters reported. The lessor, part of FitzWalter Capital, claimed the airline is in default for non-payment of rent since 2021. It also claimed VietJet has been trying to interfere behind the scenes with the export of one of the four grounded passenger jets from Vietnam by liaising with Vietnamese authorities. FWA's lawyer Akhil Shah had reportedly told the London High Court that the lessor had the right to possession and control of the disputed aircraft, which extends to the ability to export it. VietJet's lawyer Alexander Milner had denied the allegations that the airline had attempted to block the export of the repossessed aircraft. He had put forward detailed legal and jurisdictional arguments stating why VietJet could not be held accountable in the UK court for a matter between FWA and the customs authorities in Vietnam. The dispute has been playing out in courts in London, Singapore, and Hanoi. It is seen as a test case for lessors' rights in Vietnam and may prove influential for the global leasing rules and market.