LaudaMotion, Lufthansa leasing contract dispute goes to British court

A London court said July 20 it will schedule proceedings Nov. 19 to hear a case between LaudaMotion and Lufthansa over aircraft leasing contracts. Lufthansa wants to end a contract to lease aircraft to LaudaMotion, saying the Austrian carrier has failed to make payments. On July 20, the court terminated Lufthansa’s contract with LaudaMotion for 11 aircraft, even though LaudaMotion will continue to operate nine wet-leased Airbus A320 family aircraft from Lufthansa during the summer season. Ryanair — which has backed LaudaMotion — said July 13 it believed LaudaMotion was under threat by the German carrier and was attempting to remove the nine aircraft Lufthansa was obliged by the EC to provide to LaudaMotion to allow the new Austrian carrier to restart services. According to Ryanair, some of the aircraft Lufthansa had committed to deliver were being delayed until after the summer 2018 season, further reducing LaudaMotion’s ability to take up slots and offer 2018 flights and services.<br/>