UK court tells VietJet not to interfere with export of repossessed jets

A UK judge has ordered Vietnam's VietJet (VJC.HM), opens new tab to refrain from interfering in the export of jets repossessed by a leasing firm in the latest twist to a dispute that has put one of the fastest-growing aviation markets under the spotlight. FW Aviation (FWA) has taken possession of four Airbus A321 jets with the airline's agreement after claiming that the airline is in default for non-payment of rent since 2021. But the lessor, part of London-based FitzWalter Capital, accused VietJet in an online hearing on Friday of seeking to thwart the process by interfering behind the scenes with efforts to export one of the passenger jets from Vietnam, where all four jets remain on the ground. The dispute has been playing out in courts in London, Singapore and Hanoi and is seen as a test case for lessors' rights in Vietnam, which has hundreds of Airbus and Boeing jets on order, as well as for wider international leasing rules. "We have a right to possession and control of this aircraft and that extends to the ability to export it," FWA's lawyer Akhil Shah told London's High Court. VietJet lawyer Alexander Milner denied the airline was seeking to take proactive steps to block exports, and 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 Vietnam's customs authorities.<br/>