TBM Staff - Mumbai
Budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd. has announced plans to operationalise 30 grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft within the next 12-15 months, addressing issues related to payment defaults and component shortages. The airline also aims to restart delivery talks with Boeing for pending aircraft, part of a 2017 order for 200 B737 MAX planes.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, highlighted the airline’s target of growing its fleet to 100 aircraft by the end of 2026, up from the current 28 operational planes. Singh emphasised the need for more airlines in India to prevent the aviation market from becoming a duopoly dominated by IndiGo and Air India.
Experts have welcomed the announcement. Sanjay Lazar, CEO, Avialaz Consultants, called it a bold step in India’s constrained aviation market. He noted that ungrounding planes and accelerating Boeing deliveries could expand SpiceJet’s capacity, increase flight frequencies, and lower airfares in demand-heavy sectors. Lazar also stressed the importance of improving on-time performance (OTP) and passenger services to rebuild consumer trust.
Earlier this year, SpiceJet raised INR 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement to fund its revival plans. The airline operates 147 daily flights across 38 domestic and 3 international destinations, with a mixed fleet of Boeing, Q400, and wet-leased aircraft. Three Boeing 737 MAX planes are expected to rejoin its fleet by April 2025, under an agreement with US-based StandardAero Inc.
