VietJet aircraft lease debt dispute

Vietnamese airline VietJet is engaged in a legal battle in the United Kingdom with FW Aviation, an aircraft leasing company controlled by FitzWalter Capital. The dispute involves approximately US$250 million in unpaid lease agreements and termination payments for four Airbus A321 aircraft, dating back to October 2021.

In October 2026, the United Kingdom High Court ordered a global freeze on VietJet’s assets after Justice Pushpinder Saini identified a “risk of dissipation.” The court’s measures included restrictions on dealing with assets outside Vietnam, a freeze on aircraft orders, and the appointment of receivers to manage undelivered aircraft. These actions followed concerns that the airline might transfer the value of its aircraft order book to a related company to avoid enforcing judgments.

By November 2026, reports indicated that VietJet had arranged funds and intended to reach a settlement by November 13, 2026. Resolving the matter is considered critical for the airline’s upcoming delivery of Airbus A330neo and A321XLR aircraft.