(Reuters) – AerCap Holdings NV will provide 12 new Airbus aircraft to Italian state-owned carrier ITA Airways starting next year, the world’s top aircraft lessor said on Friday.
AerCap, which on Wednesday submitted a $3.5 billion insurance claim for more than 100 jets stuck in Russia, has signed lease agreements for 10 new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo planes with ITA.
Dublin-based AerCap’s exposure to Moscow was the highest among all lessors when European Union sanctions forced the termination of Russian leases, accounting for 5% of its fleet by value.
AerCap had 135 aircraft and 14 engines on lease to Russia but has repossessed and removed 22 aircraft and three engines, it said in its fourth-quarter financial results.
Meanwhile, the Italian government said on Wednesday it wanted to clinch a deal for the sale of ITA Airways by mid-June.
(Reporting by Kannaki Deka and Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi)
