Dutch lessor AerCap has seized a B737-800 - VQ-BOY (msn 28825) - operated by Russian carrier Yakutia Airlines (R3, Yakutsk) during a stopover at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion.
According to an airline statement, the incident occurred on Saturday October 25, 2015 as the aircraft was preparing for its return flight to Krasnodar. 114 passengers affected by the flight were later flown home on another jet having been delayed by over 24 hours.
AerCap's motion to retrieve its property reportedly stems from unpaid leasing bills. Though Yakutia has attempted to negotiate with the lessor, AerCap has now cancelled the contract.
The Yakutsk-based regional carrier also operates two more B737-800s, one B737-700, two B757-200PFs, two DHC-8-300s, three DHC-8-400s, and two SSJ 100/95s.
