Avolon sues Brazilian airline Avianca over jet lease

Aircraft leasing company Avolon is suing Avianca Brasil and its parent company for an alleged default on a lease for an Airbus jetliner, leaving more than US$4m in unpaid rent, US court documents show. Avolon is also suing both the airline and its parent, Synergy Aerospace Corp, for breach of contract over the 2-year-old lease for an A330 jet and is seeking $5m in damages. A spokesman for Avianca Brasil said the company was not aware of any court case and would not comment on confidential contracts. The lawsuit comes as the airline considers options for a possible international partner to help it to weather Brazil's worst recession in decades. Avolon is owned by China's HNA Group, which has expressed interest in acquiring both Avianca Brasil and Panama-based sister airline Avianca Holdings. <br/>