SMBC Aviation Capital, the world’s second-largest air lessor, lobbied the EU and the Irish government for a get-out clause on war sanctions that would allow leased jets stranded in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine to be sold to Russian airlines. The “significant lobbying” effort followed an alleged offer to SMBC of an ex gratia payment of US$644.2 million on behalf of Russian flag carrier Aeroflot to settle an insurance claim against the airline, new High Court filings reveal. The aggregate sum was deemed insufficient to meet the lessor’s claim but regardless SMBC said it worked closely on lobbying efforts…

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