Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer secures High Court win for AerCap for aircraft and engines lost in Russia

Leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has secured a USD 1.035 billion win in the High Court for client AerCap, the world's largest aviation lessor, in addition to substantial recoveries achieved in prior settlements.

AerCap's claim was brought against its insurers for the loss of 116 aircraft and 23 engines leased to Russian airlines and not returned following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This claim heard as part of a 12-week 'mega trial' in the High Court before Mr Justice Butcher, involving 13 legal teams, 24 witnesses and 14 experts. This claim was heard alongside those of five other lessors with AerCap acting as the lead claimant given the size of its claim- AerCap's claim was by far the largest in the market at 116 aircraft and 23 engines.

In his judgment (a copy of which can be found here) Mr Justice Butcher found in favour of AerCap and the other lessors, ruling that their war risk insurance policies were triggered.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team was led by Partners Alexander Oddy, Gregg Rowan, Fiona Treanor and Antonia Pegden, supported by Senior Associates William Gibson and Joanna Giza.

Alexander Oddy commented: "We are proud to have secured this outcome for AerCap. Today's judgment underscores the importance of insurance in today's uncertain world, as well as the need for insurers to accept their responsibilities. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team across a number of years."

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's large, dedicated contentious insurance practice has been consistently recognised as top-tier in representing policyholders in the largest and most complex coverage disputes in the London and international markets and is ranked Band 1 in both Chambers and Legal 500 for insurance disputes for corporate policyholders.